What makes this all possible?

Digital Light Control:

Parkside Christmas is a combination of a few different technologies.  We use Light-o-Rama's S2 software to edit the show and tell our controllers what to do.  Also, we use D-Light.us brand digital controllers for the majority of our lighting control.  Lastly, the DMX512 network technology that is used in most commerical stage productions is also employed to control multicolor RGB
fixtures, moving head yoke lights and strobes.

Each light or string of lights that can be controlled individually is on what we call a "channel".  For 2008, we were using over 160 channels.   Our 2009 show will be using over 520 channels!

How is that music playing on the radio:

Parkside Christmas is being broadcast on 96.9 FM using a Ramsey Electronics model FM100b stereo transmitter.  This is a very short range system that complies with the government's restrictions on hobbiest FM broadcasting.  It provides good quality sound out to about a block or two so that no one has to leave their warm cars to hear the music along with the lights!  Currently we are only broadcasting during show hours.