More than three miles of control cable, close to 600 extension cords and 70,000-plus lights have been the season tradition for the past three years for Bill Maxwell and Sandra Elgin, who display one of the most entertaining light shows in Murfreesboro at their home on Hamilton Drive.

Bill and Sandra’s light show, one of Murfreesboro’s attractions during the holidays, began with four extension cords and a head full of ideas. Now, lights are placed intricately throughout the couple’s front yard and are programmed to synchronize with the holiday themed music playing from the house. The music can also be heard over the radio on 90.7 FM, Bill’s amateur radio station.

The lights, which sync with the music to the smallest of details and time signatures, are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face.

“People don’t realize how long it takes . . . he has handwritten the songs to match (the lights),” Elgin said.

The computerized light show, which is completely customized by Maxwell, takes about 250 hours of dedication for just one song.

One of the main attractions of the show contains 20,000 lights on its own and stands over 20 feet tall. “We call it the mega tree,” Elgin said.

The mega tree, which sits in the front yard, is extremely vibrant. The broad light display may challenge people to wonder what the electric bill could possibly be after the holidays.

“It’s about $100 a month extra,” Maxwell said. “The fact that the computer is turning the lights (on and off) means that they are not on constantly.”

Another attraction in the show is the leaping lights.

“If you see them, they literally leap,” Maxwell said.

He credits his son, Kevin Maxwell, for the idea of leaping lights, which created an advantage for the family winning the 2007 international Light-O-Rama contest.

“We have been well received by the community, and we would like to thank our neighbors for putting up (with us),” Elgin said, noting how successful the holiday light show has been.

“That quote, ?build it, and they will come’ . . . we had no idea,” Bill said in discussing how many people travel to see the light show.

For more information about the Light-O-Rama contest and to see videos of other holiday light displays, visit lightorama02.com/Videos.htm. To check out Bill and Sandra’s own light show, just head down Hamilton Drive, Sunday through Thursday from 6:30 – 10 p.m. or Friday and Saturday 6 – 11 p.m.

if you go:

To check out the holiday light presentation, grab a hot cup of cider or cocoa, drive by 1918 Hamilton Dr., tune your radio to 90.7 FM, sit back and enjoy!