Ideas for 5K's that go by my house

Music and motivation signs would be a good safe thing to do.  I like the idea of the donut offering...won't get the front runners but the people just out for a fun race might stop.  You could also set up some type of arch or somthing for them to either run under or run through.

I was in one race that had a brutally long and steep hill...they were playing music at the top and had a toilet paper line that they acted like a winning ribbon..they would stretch it out across the lane so you would break through as you crested the hill...

This happens in my neighborhood too. I like to just sit outside with the dogs and cheer like crazy

But I also love when I'm in a race and someone has brought THE MUSIC! Get a good playlist set up and blast it loud - dance contest? Give the kids some pom pons or let them set up a mini- water station. 

(I do try to limit the cowbell if it's super early out of respect for possibly still sleeping neighbors)

If it's hot, ice cubes would be really awesome! 

If it's not hot, something yummy to eat that won't flip their stomach, maybe cookies.  Mmmm, cookies.  PBJ sandwich cubes?  OH MAN, that's still, to date, the best thing I've ever tasted after my first half marathon.  A simple, PBJ :3

For the driver, some eggs (to pelt at him) 

I did a marathon the weekend after Halloween and at least one house was trying to give away leftover candy to runners. =D If your energy was flagging, I can see how you could want something sweet.

I like the idea of sprinklers or even water guns if it's really hot. Or do a crazy spirit station -- blaring Rocky music, ridiculous costumes, the kids can be cheerleaders, etc.

for good upbeat music, Pandora has a station called Alternative Endurance Training.  It has some really good upbeat/tempo music playing.  it also does not play bad words so it is kid friendly for the race.

This requires VERY specific instructions to the kids BUT ...

Nothing is better in a hot race than water guns/ hose/ sprinklers.

.5 might be too soon, but at the second pass having the kids out there with water guns ready to fire would be awsome. 

I'd do something like set up the spray zone in the drive way / sidewalk so the runners have to choose to get wet.  Some people are very protective of the shoes.

Me too. Just opened Pandora at work to "mentally" train. Thanks

That would be fun.  I like the donut hole idea.  When I run, I love signs.  Things like "run, random stranger, run" or "remember that you paid to suffer through this" always make me smile.  I also love to hear a cowbell (it must be the cyclist in me), but I have heard other people complain about them.

During one HM, there was a guy around mile 11 yelling "you look great! You feel like crap, but you look great!"  That still makes me smile.

I backed the idea...2nd post.  I was going to add the fact of maybe coffee too but that might be too much. he is right though...could put your house on legendary status and it be a unspoken fixture of the race.  I have been in a many races where houses did goofy things every year to help make the race fun...everyone would be excited to see what they did crazy each year.

Here's some funny ideas...

http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/jimmy-kimmel-live/video/PL5520978/_m_VD55288899