Tucson Electric Power is partnering with the Winterhaven neighborhood to serve as the title sponsor for the Winterhaven Festival of Lights for at least the next five years, beginning in 2017.

This merry community event, which began 67 years ago, attracts more than 200,000 people every year to enjoy the holiday decorations in the midtown Tucson neighborhood.  Although Winterhaven residents donate their time and materials to decorate homes, a sponsor is needed to help pay for off-duty police officers, traffic control, barricades, insurance, portable bathrooms and other necessities.

“TEP is a longtime supporter of our event and makes an ideal partner for a tradition that features such festive use of electricity,” said Robin Dolezal, Festival Chair. “We literally couldn’t have kept the lights on for future festivals without this pledge of support from TEP.”

TEP has pledged to provide $40,000 annually to the charitable organization that runs the annual festival, which raises significant funds and food for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.  As part of its sponsorship, TEP plans to use the well-attended event to promote its energy efficiency programs, including incentives for the use of LED lights.

“We’re very pleased to help ensure that this beloved Tucson tradition can continue for years to come,” said David G. Hutchens, TEP’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Winterhaven residents describe the festival as their gift to Tucson. We feel the same way and consider this contribution as an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to our customers and our community.”

TEP’s long history of support for the festival includes a donation of the energy efficient LED lights used to decorate trees in our neighborhood’s common areas. TEP line crews also have used bucket trucks to help hang those lights, while other employees donate their time during the festival to collect donations for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.