Copperfield Family’s Dazzling Christmas Lights Display to Bid Farewell After a Decade of Magic
For over a decade, the Franck family of Copperfield has been spreading holiday cheer with an epic Christmas lights display that has garnered national attention. Since 2008, the Francks have transformed their home into a mesmerizing spectacle, attracting neighbors and visitors from far and wide who travel by bus or van to witness the magic. The display, boasting an impressive 200,000 lights, 24 computer controllers, and two miles of extension cords, has become a staple in Christmas light show tours and has grown in scale each year, drawing increasing numbers of spectators.
Don Franck, the mastermind behind this luminous creation, enjoys bringing happiness to those who come to enjoy the show, particularly local children. With the lights synchronized to 26 songs running in a 45-minute loop, the Franck home offers a unique audio-visual experience. Spectators tune into a designated radio station indicated by a modest sign in the yard, allowing them to enjoy the synchronized music through their car speakers. A computer program called Light-O-Rama serves as the brains of the operation, orchestrating whimsical patterns set to holiday tunes like "Joy to the World," "Happy," "Feliz Navidad," and more.
Inspired by a Miller Lite beer commercial in December 2005, Don Franck, a retired systems analyst for Shell Oil with a background in computer science, delved into the world of automating Christmas light shows. With about 90% of the work handled by Don and his wife, Jeanne, and their sons Andrew and Michael assisting with components that are high off the ground, the Franck family has made this dazzling display a collaborative labor of love.
Every year, the Francks add new elements to the display, be it additional songs, lighting features, or even pyrotechnic enhancements. The grand lighting event for this year took place on Friday, November 24, where a captivated audience of neighbors and community members gathered to witness the magic. However, according to Don Franck, this holiday season marks the end of an era, as 2023 will be the last year for their grand display. As they bid farewell to this cherished tradition, the Francks invite families to enjoy the festive spectacle from 5:30 to 10:00 PM daily at 15923 Viney Creek Dr, Houston, TX 77095, and tune their radios to 89.7 to hear the synchronized holiday soundtrack.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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