Events
Since 2003 we have attended several conferences/workshops with other Christmas light enthusiast throughout the country. At these events we all exchange ideas and knowledge in our hobby. These galleries are some of the pictures taken at some of the events we have attended in the most recent years.
2016
Christmas Expo - Chicago, Illinois
On July14-16 we attended Christmas Expo in Chicago. Three full days of classes were featured as well as a Vendor Room packed with lights and Christmas decor. We had a memorable time sharing the Christmas hobby with many of our friends throughout the country. It was a great event and the largest of all Christmas Expos. Walter taught a class on "Pixel Tree Design" and one of his newest creations, the ASAP. In the Pixel Tree Design class he had a drawing for a class prize valued at $1850 donated by Advatek Lighting of Australia. Congratulations to Peggy Volpe of Columbus, Ohio for winning the Advatek pixels and controller. See a few pics of Expo in the below slide show.
2015
Christmas Expo - Ft. Worth, Texas
A very large group of Christmas enthusiast met in Ft. Worth, Texas July 16-18 to share knowledge and information among the Christmas light hobbyist. The 2015 Christmas Expo was the largest gathering in the history of the event. We were priviledged to have served as advisors in the education segment of the event. Many classes were held with up-to-date information being shared in all areas of Christmas decorating. New elements were demoed and lots of new things were made available for sale in the Vendor room which is always a highlight of the event. The three days were well spent especially since it gave us an opportunity to spend some time with very close friends from across the country that share the same interest. The entire event was awesome and it was a great motivational experience to get back home and start on the 2015 display.
Mississippi Mini - Madison, Mississippi
The Mississippi Mini is one of our favorite events to attend. It is always a very rewarding day to meet some of our dear friends and share our Christmas display stories. Thanks to the instructors who went out of their way to present knowledge that will be beneficial to us in our own display. Being with these wonderful friends made for an awesome and very enjoyable day. The setting was very unique since the event was held in a Christmas decorated antique barn gleaming with Christmas lights.
2014
Christmas Expo - Biloxi, Mississippi
Christmas Expo - Biloxi, Mississippi
On July 14 we visited New Orleans to meet a group of friends that flew into the city to attend Christmas Expo in Biloxi, Mississippi. After a couple days of fun, good eats, laughter and many memories being made, we all journeyed to Biloxi, Mississippi for Christmas Expo. Since February we were part of the the team that "put together" the education segment of the event. We had some of the best in the decorating community teaching classes and sharing their expertise. Over 275 attendees gathered at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center to share ideas related to Christmas decorating. Classes on many topics were held and an awesome Vendor Room was probably the highlight of the event. To our surprise the Monkhouses and Chuck Smith were honored and recognized at the Opening Session for their contributions to the Christmas community throughout the years. Many of the "oldies" attended as well as so many of the "newbies" just entering into the hobby. The entire event was one to be remembered. See the video!
2013
Christmas Expo - Gatlingburg, Tenn.
In July it was back to Gatlinburg for Expo. It was one of the most fun conventions we have attended. We met up with good friends and had a blast. We were really able to relax and have fun since we were not involved with the event and was there as attendees. From Gatlinburg we visited the North Carolina High Country and enjoyed the beautiful mountain scenery.
2012
Texas Academy - Conroe, Texas
In June 2012, we attended the much talked about and popular Lone Star Academy in Conroe, Texas. Walter made a presentation and taught a class on the HD JUMP and ColorMotions tree. For his class, we set up a HD JUMP outside the Convention Center and took a portion of the ColorMotion tree for display to use as props. The Academy was three full days of classes and presentations. In our spare time we browsed the Vendor Room and explored items to add to the 2012 display. Approximately 200 people attended the event and it was absolutely great to be surrounded by Christmas enthusiast from several states across the United States.
2011
Christmas Expo - Gatlingburg, Tenn.
On June 29 - July 2, 2011, we attended Christmas Expo in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Our job was to "put together" the Education segment of the event. We worked for months in getting some of the top instructors throughout the country to be presenters in their area of expertise. Some of the instructors covered subjects such as animatronics, DMX, software, theatrical lighting, basics of Christmas displays and much more. The event was one of the biggest Expos/PLUS events ever held which also included approximately 1,000 people off the streets of Gatlinburg to share the Christmas in July experience. We came home with some great ideas that we hope to implement into our display. It was a great event for both the average home decorator as well as the professioinal decorator. The Vendor Hall was awesome. Vendors attended from across America to display some of the "over the top" products that could enhance any display whether it is a small home display or the big drive thru displays. For details of the event go to www.ChristmasExpo.com .
Away from the work we had to put into the event, we did find some time to enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains and the beautiful scenery in the Gatlinburg area. The trip was great since we were able to combine both work and play.
Away from the work we had to put into the event, we did find some time to enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains and the beautiful scenery in the Gatlinburg area. The trip was great since we were able to combine both work and play.
Texas Academy - Conroe, Texas
For the second year in a row, we attended the Lone Star Holidays Texas Academy held in Conroe, Texas. Approximately 140 Christmas enthusiasts attend classes and shared knowledge. The two day event was packed with information on RGB, Zara Radio, adding to your display and planning for the next year. A very productive and fun event, everyone walked away really motivated to begin building their 2011 display.
Mississippi Mini - Flowood, Mississippi
Saturday, August 13, 2011, we attended the Mississippi Mini in Flowood, Mississippi. Walter gave a demonstration on "The Scents of Christmas". As usual, we met with some of our dear friends to share our knowledge and experiences in Christmas light displays. We topped a great day by gathering at Cock of the Walk restaurant to enjoy great southern fried catfish.
2010
Chicagoland Mini - Chicago, Ill.
WOW--What a week to remember! In September, 2010, we drove to Glenview, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) to the ChicagoLand Mini PLUS. We arrived in Glenview several days before the Mini to construct the first ever Blow Mold Mega Tree. Hoping to have the tree on display for the Mini, Walter, Jackie and Carrie Sansing went to work on Monday to have it completed by Friday. Carrie, the Queen of Blow Molds, designed the tree using Blow Molds she had been collecting for years. By Thursday evening, the tree was lit and was spectacular. Although we had a busy week of construction, we did find some time to tour the fabulous City of Chicago. On Friday evening, the Mini started and continued till late Saturday. There were great presentations and everyone enjoyed visiting with old friends and meeting new Christmas enthusiast. The BMMT was so impressive that after the conference it was pictured in an article about Carrie in the Chicago Sun Times, mentioned in a live interview on Radio US99 as well as a news spot on Chicago's Channel 5. Congratulation to Carrie for having the First Blow Mold Mega Tree.
Walter and Carrie with the BMMT
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The Blow Mold Mega Tree lit at night.
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Mississippi Mini - Flowood, Mississippi
In August, 2010 we attended the Mississippi Mini PLUS in Flowood, Mississippi. This was the second year that the Mississippi decorators held the event. The facilities were great and the instructional staff provided a great deal of information for the Christmas light enthusiast. Instruction ranged from the basics of Light Show Pro, building with coro and working with rope light. Walter made a presentation of the JUMP using a model of the JUMP and then we took the group outside to show how the actual JUMP is raised and lowered using the motorized Jack.
Austin Make and Take - Austin,Texas
On a hot July day 2010, we attended the Austin Make and Take. A Make and Take is when a group of people meet and bring parts, supplies, tools, etc. and work on a project together and bring home whatever is made. The Austin Make and Take dedicated the day to build the Monkhouse JUMP. We attended the event to help all participants to successfully build the JUMP. It was an extremely fun day and we especially enjoyed working with this group of very enthusiastic and inspired decorators.
Texas Academy - Houston, Texas
In June 2010, we attended the Lone Star Holidays Texas Academy in Houston, Texas. Walter was asked to teach a class and deliver a presentation on the JUMP. The Academy consist of two full days of classes and presentations and a vendor room that was enjoyed by everyone. On Saturday night we were entertained at the CheapLights.com showroom for a show of awesome special effects lighting fixtures. Approximately 130-140 people attended the event and we truly enjoyed being around this exciting and serious group of Christmas lighting enthusiast.
2009
HAM - Kansas City, Kansas
On August 8, 2009 we were privileged to attend the Heart of America Mini-PLUS in Kansas City, Kansas. Walter was asked to make a presentation on Pole-ology and JUMP. The event was a very enjoyable day of classes and discussions on building Christmas light displays. We were honored to be part of the first HAM. Everyone left the seminar motivated and ready to begin their 2009 display.
In route to Kansas City, we stopped to visit Noel, Missouri's famous post office that has offered Christmas cancellations since 1932. The Postal Clerk was kind enough to stamp all of Walter's presentation handouts with three of the famous Christmas stamps.
In route to Kansas City, we stopped to visit Noel, Missouri's famous post office that has offered Christmas cancellations since 1932. The Postal Clerk was kind enough to stamp all of Walter's presentation handouts with three of the famous Christmas stamps.
re-PLUS - Louisville, Kentucky
On August 1, 2009 we attended re-PLUS in Louisville, Kentucky and had the opportunity to visit with some old friends and meet new Christmas light enthusiast. People with a passion for Christmas lights attended the event that was held at the downtown Hyatt Regency Louisville. The day long classes were very informative and interesting to all. The after event activities and discussions covered many interesting topics and tips and tricks were shared with all involved. Two fun evenings included a cruise on the Ohio River on the Belle of Louisville and on Saturday evening we all hit "Louisville's Fourth Street Live".
Calvary VBS
The Magic Christmas Train steamed over to Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, for Vacation Bible School, June 1-5, 2009. That's right! Our train was the "star" of the 2009 VBS at Calvary. The theme for this year's VBS was The Boomerang Express, so our train has a new, temporary name. Over 1,400 children and leaders "took a trip" to Australia where they experienced a unique look at the nation down under. The Boomerang Express taught the children that, in life, "it all comes back to Jesus". The Magic Christmas Train took center stage every morning as the children invaded the sanctuary for the opening services. They stared in awe of this beautiful train as she steamed through the sanctuary on a 72' long curved, elevated track. The children were told that The Boomerang Express travels around the entire nation of Australia where those "on board" get to see and experience the wonderful cultures and landscapes of this beautiful land.
The Magic Christmas Train brought joy to hundreds of children as they were "trained up" in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank You Gene Ortis and Calvary Baptist Church for allowing us to be part of this AWESOME week!
The Magic Christmas Train brought joy to hundreds of children as they were "trained up" in the way of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank You Gene Ortis and Calvary Baptist Church for allowing us to be part of this AWESOME week!
Light Up Ohio
On May 16, 2009, we made a presentation at Light Up Ohio in Columbus, Ohio on "Pole-ology" and the "Portable Hole". Also, at the event the "Monkhouse JUMP" was unveiled. This Jack Up Mega Pole is the latest innovation for the erection of a heavy duty, stand alone Mega Tree. Walter's design was demonstrated at the event.
