Winterhaven Festival Of Lights Canceled Due To Coronavirus

TUCSON, AZ — A 70-year mainstay in the Tucson community has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Winterhaven Festival of Lights will no longer take place in 2020, festival organizers announced in a Thursday news release.

"We believe what is most important is the safety and wellbeing of our Tucson community during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and that holding our traditional event for the community would not serve to ensure that," the news release said. "We look forward to next year and the hope that we will be able to hold the festival safely for the 2021 holiday season."

The decision was made with guidance from the city of Tucson and the Pima County Health Department.

Pima County reported 308 new coronavirus cases and three confirmed deaths Friday amid a statewide uptick and increased hospitalizations, according to data from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Arizona as a whole reported 1,996 new cases and 22 deaths.

The organizers said traffic control barricades and signage will be placed near the usual venue on Fort Lowell Road between Country Club Road and Tucson Boulevard for Tucsonans unaware that the event has been canceled.

The cancellation will likely affect the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, as thousands of dollars are raised for the nonprofit each year with the holiday light displays. Organizers are asking residents to consider making a donation, even without the event.

You can donate to the food bank online here.