2008 Hours of Operation - December 1st thru 31st
Monday thru Thursday - 6pm till 10:00pm
/
Friday thru Sunday - 6pm till 11:00pm
Synchronized light shows
run every 20 minutes (weather permitting)
at the top of the hour,
:20 and :40 after,
and last about 10-12
minutes each. Tune to 88.7fm to hear the
lights dance! Please leave only your parking lights on while viewing
- as a
courtesy to our neighbors.
December 31, 2008
Special Show At Midnight Tonight - New Years
Celebration!
As tonight is the final night for the
Yaglenski Family Dancing Holiday Light Spectacular,
we've decided to throw in some special additions!
At midnight, we'll ring in the New Year with
"Auld Lang Syne" followed by "Reflections of
Earth" - sequences produced especially for our final
night. The display will run till 1am as part
of the celebration and will remain lit after that
all night long. We hope to see you for this
special occasion!
December 27, 2008
Shows Drawing to a Close - Only 5 Nights Left
Till New Years
Just a reminder - we're getting close to the end of
another season for the Yaglenski Family Holiday
Light Spectacular. The final shows
run New Years Eve all night long leading up
to the final show of the year at midnight.
Make your plans to come out now.
December 24 & 25, 2008
Christmas Eve and Christmas Shows Running Extra
Hours
Due to the popularity of the shows this year thanks
to the media coverage, we'll be running the
Yaglenski Family Holiday Light Spectacular extra
hours this evening and tomorrow. We'll start
the shows early at 5pm and run until 11pm so that
more folks can enjoy the sights and sounds of the
season! Hope to see you here as you make us
part of your Christmas tradition!
December 17, 2008
Two
New Sequences Debut Tomorrow at 7pm!
Finally had a few moments of free time this evening
and we added 2 new songs into the 7pm show - pulling
repeats of earlier songs. The Brian Setzer
Orchestra's Boogie Woogie Santa Claus and the
classic - Snow Mizer & Heat Mizer from the animated
favorite "The Year Without A Santa Claus" are sure
to spice things up. If you miss the 7pm show
to see the debut - you can stop by for repeat
performances at 8:20 & 9:40pm.
New
Years Eve
Also, don't forget we also run all NEW YEARS EVE
long and culminate with a special one run a year
show that features Reflections of Earth and Auld
Lang Sine at midnight.
December 16, 2008
Weather Has Been Challenging This Year
Seems mother nature just isn't cooperating this
year. In addition to the weather being cold
and bitter when the lights were going up in November
(usually we get days in the high 50's to low 60's -
some years we've hit near 70), this December has
been filled with rain and damp conditions which
plays havoc with the display. Rain -
especially heavy soaking rain causes Ground Fault
Interrupts to trip in certain items in the show -
and that in turn causes us to have to unplug items.
For example, tonite the Frosty Train, Seals and Pond
all had to be turned off in order to get things to
run. And it's not always the same item - which
makes it trickier still. We've been able to
run all but one night this year but it's been far
from perfect. The next few days look a little
shaky too. Here's hoping we get some nice
weather in time for the weekend so you can enjoy the
show!
December 10, 2008
Weather Too Damp - Wednesday Show Cancelled
After a day long rain - we had too many GFCI
problems to run the show tonite. Add to the
fact that I wasn't at home this evening to fix
things and was trying to relay via phone
instructions..."unplug this, try this, no - try this
instead". It just didn't work out so we turned
everything off. My sincere apologies to anyone
who traveled here to try to see the lights this
evening. We try to post on the site when we're
having problems ahead of time. The good news
is, after getting home around 11pm tonite, I believe
I have narrowed down the items causing the problem
and can run in a "Reduced Show or B Mode" where a
couple things are off, but otherwise the show runs.
This will be handy with the weather looking to swing
back and forth over the next few days. We can
usually operate in SNOW with no issue, but RAIN
causes all sorts of problems with a display this
complex. Again - I'm sorry the show's didn't
run tonite.
December 7, 2008
NBC
Channel 25 Does A Feature...
This afternoon brought a reporter from NBC 25 to our
doorsteps to find out more about the display in prep
for a piece to air at 6pm. Jackie Waite was
great to talk to but unfortunately got the name of
the town wrong... she said it was Thurmont, not
Urbana. So, I can just picture people driving
around Thurmont wondering - where the heck is the
display. Also, the video was taken in the day
so it really didn't convey the display very well -
but a welcome addition to the press none the less!
Thanks Jackie!
December 3, 2008
A Big
Thank You to The Frederick News Post
This
morning brought a pleasant suprise with the morning
coffee and raisin bran - we opened the Newspaper to
see our home in full color huge on the front page of
the Frederick News Post. Thank you to Skip
Lawrence (photographer) who did a wonderful job of
capturing the magic that is the Light Spectacular.
Perfect timing was on his side as he snapped the
picture just as the strobe lights were going off.
We're wondering what this will do for traffic...
Lights are Up and Running - Shows Every 20 Minutes!
Thanks to the folks who came out tonight to see the
lights on their debut night. Things are up and
operating great despite the damp weather. The
show schedule is on the site and will be updated in
the coming weeks with a few new numbers that are
sure to delight your eyes!
Leave a Letter For Santa - Get a Letter Back From
Santa!
Again this year, we at the Yaglenski Dancing Holiday
Light Spectacular have a direct line to the Jolly
Old Elf Himself via our Santa's Mailbox. If
you leave a letter to Santa with your return address
on it, Santa will send you a personal response.
Every year, we get a lot of letters, but only a
handful have a return address.
Trying to Use The Contact From? Mail Now
Fixed!
We moved servers over the summer and didn't notice
till now that our contact form was broken.
It's now fixed just in time for the Christmas Season
- so if you need to get in touch with us, it should
be functioning now!
November 30, 2008
Opening Night is Monday at 6pm - Weather Permitting
Looking at the forecast, things are supposed to
clear up around 5pm tomorrow, which should clear the
way for the shows to be running at 6pm. Due to
all the dampness from the rain over the past 24
hours, we may be running in B SHOW mode - which
means some elements may not be lit (such as the pond
of lights) due to them needing to dry out and avoid
tripping circuits. We're about 95% sure things
should be a go and will post here tomorrow around
5:30 if things are up and operating at 100% or if we
are in reduced show mode.
Other
Info - We're Not Entering The Contest This Year...
In order to facilitate participation in the Villages
of Urbana Holiday Light Contest, we decided not to
enter this year and instead, we'll be judging the
Townhome category. After winning the Single
Family Category 5 times, a year off seemed
appropriate to allow everyone else get into the
Christmas Season!
November 28, 2008
Sneak
Preview Tonite at 6pm
We're still testing things but anticipate on running
shows beginning at 6pm Saturday nite in preparation
for our official opening nite - Monday December 1.
If you are in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by
and say hi.
November 16, 2008
New
Items Ordered And On The Way...
What's new for 2008 you ask? Frosty is coming
to town and he's arriving on a train that's 6 feet
tall and 20 feet wide from the Holiday Light Store.
This showcase piece is sure to delight all with
puffs of smoke, waving frosty and animated wheels.
We'll also be adding a Fishing Penguin from our
favorite - Holidays With Lights to our Ice Pond and
a animated Carousel from Linda's Yard Art.
Pictures below! In addition, John has been
working on a replica of a Tin Star that adorned his
parents house growing up. It's nearly complete
and will be posted to the site soon. 15 days
till light up!
October 27, 2008
2008
Preparation Begins...
Well, in reality, it began over the summer when we
ordered our third 16 channel light-o-rama controller
but we continued our planning and preparation over
the weekend as we selected from hundreds of new
designs in an effort to determine what we'll add to
the display for 2008. The final decision
should be made soon - and we'll post the information
here!
December 31, 2007
Special Show At Midnight Tonight - New Years
Celebration!
As tonight is the final night for the
Yaglenski Family Dancing Holiday Light Spectacular,
we've decided to throw in some special additions!
At midnight, we'll ring in the New Year with
"Auld Lang Syne" followed by "Reflections of
Earth" and "Heat Miser/Snow Miser" - all
new sequences produced especially for our final
night. The display will run till 1am as part
of the celebration and will remain lit after that
all night long. We hope to see you for this
special occasion!
December 23, 2007
Our Final Night Will Be New Years Eve - With
Extended Hours
The final night for the display
this year will be New Years Eve when the Dancing
Lights will run until 1am. However, from 11pm
thru 1am, there will be no external audio.
You'll have to stay in your car to listen to the
music as a courtesy to our neighbors!
Many Thanks To News Channel 8 DC
A big thank you to Judy Kurtz
from News Channel 8 for putting together such a nice
piece on our display last night. It really
captured the spirit of things and did a great job of
showcasing the lights and our website. Now, if
only she had gotten my name right - LOL. It's
JOHN, not Jeff... but any publicity is good
publicity and she did get my last name right - which
is usually pronounced wrong!
Merry
Christmas everyone! We received a call a few
moments ago that
News Channel 8 in Washington, DC would like to
come out this evening (Christmas Eve) and film the
Yaglenski Family Dancing Holiday Light Spectacular.
We're looking forward to seeing them and you here
tonight! The display is on from 6pm thru 11pm.
December 18, 2007
Santa To Make An Appearance Friday & Saturday
Night
The
jolly old elf himself will make a visit just in time
for Christmas, this Friday and Saturday night from
7-8pm (weather permitting). Santa and his
helpers will be handing out candy canes and wishing
good cheer to all those who visit. Be sure to
bring your letter to Santa and drop it in his
mailbox (include your name and address and Santa
will send you a note back!)
We
Won Again!
Thank you to the judges who chose us as the
winner of the Single Family Contemporary Holiday
Light Display for the Villages of Urbana. This is 5
years now that we have been honored with this
distinction.
December 14, 2007
Thanks to 630 WMAL and The Gazette
The folks from 630 WMAL in Washington, DC contacted
us today for a story they are doing for Mondays
Morning Show about holiday lights. A big
thanks to John Matthews and Mark Weaver who were
great to talk to. Also, thanks to the Chris
Brown at the Gazette Newspaper for
covering the light show in the latest issue.
Weather Heads Up!
With bad weather in the forecast, we'll keep things
running as long as we can on Saturday nite for those
who plan to stop by. Realize that the shows
run weather permitting and if we need to cancel
things for the evening, we'll post information
saying so to the website.
December 6, 2007
Shows Now Running Every 20 Minutes
We had been running the shows on the hour and half
hour, but to make sure folks don't have to wait 20
minutes till the next show, we've modified the
schedule so shows run at the top of the hour, 20 and
40 past. On average you shouldn't have to wait
more than 10 minutes or so till the next viewing.
This gives you plenty of time to see the display
static, but also see the lights DANCE!
December 4, 2007
Display
Video Now Online
After the shows shut down for the night, we went
back outside last night and ran things in silent
mode with the video camera rolling and then added
sound back in later with video editing software.
It was pretty cold, so we only captured 2 songs in
all (about 10 are rotating thru our 4 shows) - but
you'll at least get the idea of what things look
like. We'll be capturing more video coming
soon!
Due to
Heavy Rain, Remainder of Tonight's Shows
Cancelled
We were able to run most of the night fine with many
visitors till 9:00pm when the rain kicked up another
notch and started tripping GFI Circuits. So,
we've cancelled the remainder of shows tonight, and
well start fresh tomorrow weather permitting.
We can operate in light rain but not heavy downpour.
If you have any doubts whether to head out to see
the display, check the website and we'll try to post
an update as to whether things are running.
The forecast looks good the rest of the week, though
tomorrow may be quite windy...
December 1, 2007
Tonight
is the Night!
The Yaglenski Family Dancing Holiday Light
Spectacular premieres tonight. Between 6 and
7pm, we'll be outside giving away free candy canes
to those who attend. We'll see you there!
Just a heads up - rain is in the forecast for
tomorrow and we haven't determined if the show will
be able to play during rain - so best to come out
today!
November 30, 2007
Show &
Display Are Complete
All the work has come together and the light shows
are complete as is the display. We've run
tests, the schedule is set and we're ready to roll
for opening night Saturday. Details on the
shows and schedule can be
found here.
Stop by on Saturday night from 6-7pm for free candy
canes - we'll be out talking to those who come to
view the display.
November 26, 2007
Testing
Going Well...
A few folks have been lucky enough to see the new
Yaglenski Family Holiday DANCING Light Spectacular
over the past few nights. We've been outside
making sure everything is working properly with the
December 1 preview. Remaining items are to add
some more twinkle lights, finish the show schedule,
install the security cams and decorate the backyard.
Everything is on track. See you at 6pm on the
1st!
November 21, 2007
When You
View The Show This Year...
In anticipation of the Holiday Lights Preview just
under 10 days away, here are a few simple rules that
we ask you to follow in order to make the experience
magical for everyone:
Please be
respectful and courteous to our friends and
neighbors and do not block traffic or
driveways, park or walk on anyone's lawn,
blow horns or play your radio loudly.
Please turn
off your headlights when watching the
display and only leave your parking lights
on for road safety. If you wish to get
out of the car to watch a show or visit with
Santa (on select nights), please park in the
Community Center Parking Lot and walk over.
Due to the
electrical HIGH VOLTAGE
that runs our display, and the maze of
electrical cords and ground based displays
including strobe lights, it's important that
you DO NOT enter the yard.
Smile - this
year we have installed a night vision
security camera system to keep everything
and everyone safe!
November 20, 2007
Big
Day Today...
The behind the scenes planning are no more - and
this years display has moved to the yard over the
last few days. Many of the wireframes are out,
the rope light border is up, lower level gutter
lights and about half the trees are wired.
Since our last update, we added a few new items
including a couple penguins in a snowball fight, a
tree of mini trees which will grace our backyard
along with a sign that says PEACE. Capitol
Electrical Solutions comes tomorrow to put in a
dedicated sub panel with 8 dedicated outlets in (to
keep everything safe).
Our giant wreath that hangs in the eves has been
adorned with new Christmas Balls and looks as good
as the day we bought it about five years ago now.
All, the lights have been tested and repairs made
where appropriate - including a new motor for the
light flurries box.
This year, we also switched out all of our C7 lights
(with the exception of the white ones that outline
the house) to mini lights. This will cut down
a little on power consumption while still giving a
bright, festive look.
We're about to the point where we need more front
yard! it's getting harder and harder to fit it
all in.
The biggest challenge over the next 10 days is not
putting the lights up, but running the cords that
will power the show. With 32 channels, that's
32 16 gauge extension cords running from the garage
to the yard. Wow.
October 24, 2007
It
Begins! 2007 Plans Underway...
Well,
we've actually planned far in advance of now but
have officially purchased a few items for this years
display. First was an item from Lori's Lighted
D Lites - the seals tossing a package back and
forth. Stacey has wanted this item for 2 years
now and somehow it kept getting put off.
We'll, it's ordered and on the way. Second
item I am very excited about... 2 16 Channel Channel
Light-O-Rama controllers. This is the same
device that Disney World uses to power their
sequenced and synched Osborne Family Light Display.
We're starting small with 16 channels but more can
be added easily next year. Also we'll have 5-6
sequenced songs with it - so we'll be doing "shows"
if all works out at the top and bottom of the hour.
Not sure how that will integrate with SantaFM but
we'll see...
The Yaglenski Family Holiday Dancing Light Spectacular
DeLIGHTing Since December 2001: One of Maryland and
the Baltimore and Washington, DC area's most unique residential
Christmas and Holiday Light Displays. Located
in Urbana, Maryland - Just 10 minutes from Downtown
Frederick.
Winner - 2007, 2006, 2005, 2003 & 2002 Contemporary Category
Villages of
Urbana Holiday Light Contest