Lights on Evergreen features 100,000 lights spanning the entire width of the property. The display features the traditional static lights wrapped around trees as well as a lit-up Santa and his reindeer, combined with high-tech colorful lights synchronized to music played from radio station 98.1FM. The songs range from traditional Christmas music to pop.
Check out a sample of what to expect:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCP_hThO4HE&feature=youtu.be
Daniel, now 15, has been putting on elaborate Christmas light displays since he was 10. The light display serves as a touching memorial to his mother Lena Eisenberg, who passed away from a sudden heart attack a week before Halloween in 2010.
"My mom loved the holidays. She would decorate the inside of the house, and my dad and I would be in charge of the outside. When she passed away, and my dad and I wanted to carry her tradition," says Daniel.
Daniel and his father started with a Home Depot kit that "just plugs in and does everything for you." After burning out two kits, Daniel decided to get his own equipment this year. Using a program called Light O Rama, Daniel now has control over everything from selecting the songs to play, to choosing which lights to animate at any given time.
Daniel's easy-going demeanor belies his attention to detail and passion for electronics. It takes Daniel 15 hours to program each minute of song, and he started programming this year's display in January. The current light display has 9 songs, lasting about 35 minutes.
Daniel also rented a cherry picker to wire the trees, run electricity and set up a camera surveillance that is connected to his smartphone. Worried about how his display was going to work, Daniel sought the help of another Christmas lights display aficionado - Ralph Deweil of the popular Christmas on Manhattan display in Waldwick.
"As a kid, my dad and I would drive around to see all the Christmas lights," recalls Daniel. "My parents found out about Christmas on Manhattan seven years ago. I asked Ralph for help, and he has become my mentor. He has helped with everything to get the lights started this year."
Based on this year's light display, Daniel may have outdone his mentor. Daniel says he can see his beloved hobby turning into something meaningful in the future. His mother would be so proud.
You can go see the Lights on Evergreen at 38 Evergreen Place in Demarest every day through January 5, 2016. The lights are on from 4:30PM to 11PM Sundays through Thursdays and 4:30PM to 11:30PM Fridays and Saturdays, weather permitting. Tune in to 98.1FM to watch the lights "dance" to the songs. There is a collection box near the driveway to collect donations for the American Heart Association and to offset costs running the lights. For up-to-date information, become a fan on the Lights on Evergreen's Facebook page.
Photos courtesy of Daniel Eisenberg
