Z Tree version 2.0

Last year, a combination of cold weather and unusually stiff December winds caused the collapse of 20' my pvc z-tree.





I had included more than twice the standard number of braces, etc. but the brittleness of the pvc and the wind proved to be way too much for it.

I certainly don't want to go through that again, so this year's version is constructed of steel tubing. It's heavy, but I don't think it will be blowing down again. I also reconstructed my pvc video screen/wreath as it didn't fare much better.

Last weekend was the test fitting to make sure all the bolt holes lined up, etc. It is made to fit around a fountain in my front yard and I will be anchoring some eye hooks into the concrete pad the fountain sits on and using ratched straps to hold the tree in place. I don't intend to use external anchor lines this season, as the weight of the tree should be enough along with the internal anchors.











The tray is for the three snow machines that will live there during the season.




There's the wreath. Still have to add a mounting system to hold it upright.




All lined up, just needs garland and lights. Note the square section in the center of the bottom sections to clear the fountain. I am considering making some sort of 'panels' using chicken wire to hold the garland and lights so I can assemble the tree as just a frame then add that once it's up.. still thinking about that one.

Oh well, got to hammer on getting the haunted house completed and open the next couple of weeks, then I can get back to this project.

Dance, Dance, Dance

Today I finished the dancing guy for this year's display. This fellow will come on during one of the more rock and roll portions of the show and dance to the music.

It's just a wood frame with chicken wire, and rope light attached to that.


He has six moves. The final two look a little weird, but I think when he's computer controlled and just doing each move for milliseconds, it should be just fine.

Huge Auction Haul

The Ace Hardware store in nearby North Vernon, Indiana had a bankruptcy auction this past Friday and it was a Christmas decorations bonanza. Being the only decorating fanatic there in June, I was pretty much unopposed on the bidding.

Most of the items still had the price tags attached. I spent right around $120 and when I added up just the items with the tags attached, I had $3470 in merchandise. Not sure what I will do with all of this stuff, but what a haul!



A couple shots of the complete haul.


Tons of garland to be used on the rebuilt z-tree this season!


This huge wreath was one thing I really had my eye on. It breaks down into four pieces and is over six feet across. It had $289 on the price tag... I paid $15 :)


Paid $4 for this tree

I didn't bother fluffing any of the trees and such out for the inventory pics, but you get the idea..


Got three of these palm trees for $5, they were labeled $112.99 each!

Three of these


Lots of lights, quite a few are LED!



Set on wrapping paper for the next 100 years


Handy light reels


lots of miscellaneous stockings and santa hats


39 of these bows labeled $1.99 each.. .gave two dollars!


Cinammon scented pine cones.. who knows, they were mixed in on a whole section of shelf that I bought


More Garland, some 25' lengths and some 9' in boxes...



Couple of 24" wreaths

Rock Concert in the Garage

This weekend I have finally gotten all of the dmx fixtures addressed and hooked up. Now, I will start programming some sequences.

Here are some pictures from the garage tonight showing the lights all on. No particular scene here, just all of the lights on with various gobos/colors/etc. selected. The RGB laser projector is the only fixture missing at this point, should be here this coming week.

2008 Song List

I am working this week on finalizing the song list for this year's show. I am bringing back some favorites from last season and adding some new songs. Here's what it's looking like as of right now:

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas is You
Brian Setzer Orchestra - Sleigh Ride
Bond - Explosive (Bellagio Fountain Display)
Christina Aguilera - Christmas Time
Trans Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Jam or Siberian Sleigh Ride (dmx lighting show)
Crispy T - DJ Santa (dmx lighting show)
Crazy Frog - Last Christmas
Vince Gauraldi - Linus and Lucy
Trans Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Eve Sarajevo 12/24
John Mellencamp - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Trans Siberian Orchestra - Appalachian Snowfall (Laser Show)
Ozzy Osbourne & Jessica Simpson - Winter Wonderland

New Truss Setup

I mounted the truss to the ceiling in the garage and hung all of the lights so I can do some programming. I promised myself I would start much earlier on programming this year, so I am doing just that. Since the side sections of truss and corners are over ten feet tall, and I don't have that kind of ceiling room in the garage, I hung it on a beam in the garage for now. One lighting fixture is not yet mounted to the truss, it's a 1.5W RGB laser that will be right in the center.






For anyone keeping score at home, that's four Elation Focus Spot 250 moving heads, four Martin Roboscan 812 scanners and two 200mw green ILDA laser projectors on the truss. I also have some other dmx fixtures I'm using, but they are for wash lighting on the house and won't be mounted on the truss.

Also have to figure out a weatherproofing strategy...hmmm..

Truss me, this stuff is cool

I have been needing to find a way to get the moving heads and lasers elevated this season. I have been considering all sorts of bizarre mounting schemes on the roof, etc. However, I ran across a local fellow who had some aluminum stage trussing for sale, so I picked up four sections. This stuff is incredibly strong and lightweight as well. I need to get two corner pieces and two base plates to complete the system. In addition to providing a secure place to mount the intelligent lighting, this truss will add that 'professional rock concert' feel to the show. I am really excited.


Each section is 10 feet, so this will be 10 feet high and roughly 20 feet across.



Check out the wall thickness. This is some serious tubing.