LEESBURG, VA — Nova Labs’ technology enthusiasts and their families took a field trip Sunday October 27th to get a behind the scenes tour of local animated lighting displays including one that has garnered international attention.

The display is located in Leesburg, VA and featured a combination of incandescent lights, LED lights, and RGB lighting all synchronized to music broadcast on a low-power FM radio station, allowing visitors to hear the synchronized music in their cars as they view the show. The video of this year’s hit song “The Fox” by Ylvis synchronized to lights has attracted nearly 1.5 million views on YouTube.

Nova Labs member David Stewart arranged the tour as an extension of the Introduction to Animated Lighting course that is periodically held at Nova Labs. The group of 16 makers was treated to an in-depth discussion about the hardware and software that goes into building such a display, as well as the design process and inspiration for the songs.

The hardware is a mix of commercially available components and do-it-yourself items. The software allows the home owner to synchronize the lights to the music and schedule the light show to automatically run at pre-programmed times.

In appreciation for the time spent with the Nova Lab’s visitors, the homeowner was presented with the first ever Nova Labs Great Pumpkin Award which was made from plywood and acrylic using “Mongo,” our laser cutter.

Those who stayed posed for a group picture at the end of the night!

For more info on the displays visited on the tour, visit:

• https://www.facebook.com/EdwardsLandingLights
• https://www.facebook.com/LightsAtLowesIsland