Tucson Electric Power (TEP) will serve as the title sponsor for the Winterhaven Festival of Lights for the next five years.

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

TEP will provide $40,000 each year to the charitable organization that runs the festival. The money will go toward such support as off-duty police officers, traffic control, barricades, insurance and portable bathroom facilities. 

In return, TEP will promote its energy efficiency programs such as incentives for using LED lights during the event, which was started 67 years ago.

The event draws more than 200,000 visitors annually to the midtown Tucson neighborhood of Winterhaven, where residents donate their time and materials to decorate their homes. 

“We’re very pleased to help ensure that this beloved Tucson tradition can continue for years to come,” David G. Hutchens, TEP’s president and chief executive officer, said. “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 also donates LED lights to decorate trees in common areas, and its workers use bucket trucks to help hang the lights.