plasmadrive Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 The traffic has been just bumper to bumper for the last week.. Really bad if you need to get in or out of the neighborhood.. This I understand.. All my neighbors except one seem to understand and live with it for the short time it happens.... Like I said.. all but one... He went to the police station today... The visiting officer said no legal issues.. but asked if there was any way to control the traffic.. I said I was open to suggestions.. none were available off the top of his head.. so... No damage to this guys property.. he was just pissed that he had to deal with traffic since he randomly comes home at all hours of the night and is no so inclined to be understanding of those that just want to watch.. And.. some do have a problem thinking about those around them.. in all fairness to this person.. So how do you guys control it when it becomes a big attraction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caniac Posted December 24, 2013 Share Posted December 24, 2013 we have only had a visit from local law enforcement to let us know that a "Mr. or Mrs. Grinch" said our music was too loud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale W Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 Possible solutions: Turn off the display while he is in the neighborhood. If he is upset because people are blocking his driveway, put cones out to keep it open. If he can't get into his driveway because it is blocked, have him call you 10 minutes out. You turn off the lights, wait for all to leave, set cones in his driveway, wait for him to go inside, restart the lights. Solution #2 - Only use one song. People will move out quicker when they see the same song over and over /not trying to be smart, just trying to help you keep the peace best of luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubado Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 My show isn't structured, it plays 4-5 songs each half hour and then goes into a static mode. It plays a full show 10 songs at 7 and 8pm. Shows are only on the weekend unless I have a reason during the week. I don't have a transmitter yet, so having their window down when it's cold out helps eliminate problems. I also didn't advertise my show times, that way they aren't parking in front of the display trying to read a sign. November was a rough setup month and started 2 weeks late, so I was a little disorganized this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilmoney Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 On saturday the 14th outside there were so many cars in both directions that the police come and shooed them away. I run my show nightly starting at 5:00 and run it every half hour until 8:00 and then it runs back to back until 10 sunday to thursday and 11 friday and saturday. My show is only 4 songs which lasts 12 mins so theres plenty of time for the traffic to get in and out during the time when most of my neighbors are arriving home from work. Seems to have worked well so far except that one night and no complaints from anyone so far.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHolmes Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 I have done it multiple ways, dependent on location.For example, when I lit a downtown office, we had three shows per night so we knew when to expect crowds.The cars came, they watched the show, they left. It was well advertised. At Disney, if the crowds are too great, they simply do less songs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasmadrive Posted December 25, 2013 Author Share Posted December 25, 2013 It is kind of a bitter sweet thing. You want to get your display well known so more people can enjoy it.. then when you achieve that goal, there are too many so you have become a victim of your own success, so to speak. Thanks for the suggestions.. This may be my last year... I didn't do this to cause problems.. only to offer up Christmas enjoyment to others.. It may turn out that the needs of the many are out weighed by the needs of the few, or the one. We shall see how it goes. I have been talking to the other neighbors prior and though they are not fond of the traffic, they were quite willing to deal with it. This attitude however, may have changed according to the one Grinch of the block. (and he is that all year). It doesn't make him wrong however.. so I will be asking the question to everyone on the block. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowepg Posted December 25, 2013 Share Posted December 25, 2013 I don't have a transmitter yet, so having their window down when it's cold out helps eliminate problems. I would think the need to blast music would be one sure way to wear down your neighbors patience.... Also, fm broadcast likely allows MORE people (form farther away) to enjoy the show- rather than wait to queue up right across the street/in front of your display. To me, FM broadcast is a Must-Have for Peace on Earth and Goodwill to Neighbors :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasmadrive Posted December 25, 2013 Author Share Posted December 25, 2013 I don't do the music outside either.. but some of the watchers feel compelled to turn up the volume.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LORisAwesome Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 Is the problem that your neighbor can't get into his driveway or that he can't even get on the street? In the past some one of the cities in my area changed a street with a popular Christmas display to one way during the season. I'm thinking this might allow your neighbor to maneuver around the line of cars to get into his driveway -- as long as it is not blocked. Although people waiting may think he is trying to get in front of them, which could cause problems too. A Demented Elf announcement might alleviate this... Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikid Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 like lots of display, party etc....talk to your local police about getting a permit to close the street to the public for your display, people can then park outside and walk through like dovewood crt....I perfer to walk through anyway so i can enjoy the show better. and if you us a fm transmitter,post that you do and people can us there phone or ?....that may be a possiblity?...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbirdruss Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 The first year I did my lights, I had a 30 minute show and caused a lot of traffic issues. Now I run two 12 minute shows in a loop with a Merry Christmas Message and a "Christmas Vacation" sample halfway through. Haven't had any issues with neighbors or traffic since.IMHO, having peace with your neighbors is more important than blinky lights.Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kzaas Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 I am very lucky with my location, actually my Christmas display had a lot to do with us picking this house. I live on a corner lot, on a one sided street, the other side of the street I am looking at the sides of other houses so no driveways over there. directly to the right side of my house is a fairly large park and the way the streets are situated makes a great way for traffic to get in and out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Benedict Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 I don't do the music outside either.. but some of the watchers feel compelled to turn up the volume.. Craig - Next Sacramento meeting is Friday the 17th; come on by and let's see if there's a Plan B. I'll buy your pizza. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jstorms Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 One option to think about is don't run a continuous show. This year I've been kicking off my show when I feel like it. Few times a week, not to any set schedule. So instead of all of central Texas at my doorstep I've been catering to our neighbors, family and friends. I get to do a full show, not just 1 or 2 songs to keep the traffic moving. Figure out what you want out of your show. Do you want a line of cars a 1/2 mile long that get a somewhat lame experience, or have a really nice show? quality vs. quantity. At the beginning of the season our whole neighborhood came out with camp chairs and we did the full hour long show for them and it was a great community event. It has been a very positive experience, we've shared some great moments and we haven't had the blaring radios, honking horns, litter, etc. On the scheduler I have a semi-static display (snowflakes doing the wave, fire sticks doing their thing), then when I want I do a 'show on demand' and set the start and stop times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Benedict Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 like lots of display, party etc....talk to your local police about getting a permit to close the street to the public for your display, people can then park outside and walk through like dovewood crt....I perfer to walk through anyway so i can enjoy the show better. and if you us a fm transmitter,post that you do and people can us there phone or ?....that may be a possiblity?...... Mike - By the way, here's more information on the RGB strips you were interested in: http://forums.lightorama.com/index.php?/topic/27196-cmb-24d-vs-cmb-16d-qc/?p=256410 Hopefully, Craig will be at the Sacramento meeting in a few weeks with all the details and we can provide lots of sympathy and options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brett H. Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 I am fortunate enough to have neighbors that like to watch the show themselves right from the comfort of their homes. Traffic here in Grinchville isn't a problem and I live on a dead end street. I say Grinchville because in our village there is very few people that even put lights up. Was hoping we would change that alittle and get more in Christmas spirit. It helped on our street as more and more neighbors put more and more lights up each year. But the bomb is going to be dropped on them when the realtor sign goes up in yard. Took new job in city 30 minutes away and it doesn't make sense to stay here. And our school isn't that great here anyway. Good luck with your neighbor. We have an old scrooge that lives behind us that I wish would just crook already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallcrpt Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 how about one way traffic certainly helped my display and people enjoyed it more without direct headlights... and I agree, I would strive to keep neighbors happy, unless you have just one neighbor who will always complain enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilmoney Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 How many pissed off neighbors should you have before you decide to end the show? Everyone I've spoken to is cool so far but there's just one more to speak to and I'm not sure how he'll decide yet.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J. M. Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 I would look for ways to make peace with the neighbors but I would not stop my show. Until the city declares my show a public nuisance I have the right to put on the show. I try to be curteous and my display only runs until 9 pm on weekdays. I have had no complaints from my neighbors so I guess I am lucky even though traffic can be a problem at times. I am not trying to cause trouble but the vast majority enjoy the show and feel a little happier by seeing it. That to me is more important than stopping my show due to a few complaints. Try to find a way to make appease your neighbors that do not like the problems that arise from your show but keep the stance that the show makes people happy while looking for some compromise. I do hope you find a way to keep your show running it would be a shame for those children who truly enjoy the show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts