TUCSON, Ariz. — A holiday tradition in Tucson lights up for the first time this season over the weekend. Homeowners are preparing for the 69th annual Winterhaven Festival of Lights.
"It's magical, it really is," said Tim Garcia, decorating his house for the light festival.
Tim Garcia and his family live on Kleindale Road in the Winterhaven Neighborhood. He says his family looks forward to Winterhaven's Festival of Lights each year.
"Everybody's out on their porches this time of year, and you get to see all your neighbors. Its wonderful," said Garcia.
This family of five moved into the neighborhood seven years ago. They've decorated their home to the fullest as a part of the Festival of Lights ever since. The Garcia's have won of few awards over the years, but say because they welcomed a newborn baby last week, they're keeping things pretty basic this year.
"Oh we always shoot for 'Best Roof Top' but we don't try to do the award thing too much, its just for fun. We also just had a baby, so this was status-quo this year," said Garcia.
With a few days left until the start of the festival, the Garcia family likes to take their time putting the finishing touches on the house. From lights on the trees, to elves on the swings, the Garcia's said there is one specific prop that is a hit year after year, "We have a Santa station here that people can write letters to Santa Claus. We always get to here little kids writing their letters to Santa, and what they want for Christmas. Its always really fun to hear."
The Festival of Lights officially kicks off this Saturday at 6 p.m. It is a walking-only event, until its very last day on the 26th. That is when the neighborhood will allow cars to drive through for a look at all the decorations.
