It took me a while to answer this question.  I found two primary reasons as to why I do it:

1. I love watching the reactions of the faces as people watch the show.  Then to see kids chase the lights back and forth and adults hold each other with smiles on their faces.  I typically sit outside every night and just enjoy the pleasure people get out it.

2. My primary source of enjoyment is in the innovation, design, and build process.  I relish the idea of creating something that I did not know how to in the first place.  Then actually successfully doing it!  Somebody asked me once if I could go through the whole process of building my display and then tear it down the next day...  I would definitely miss the crowds reactions to the show, however I would be very content with it.

Google is a fantastic thing my friend! I primarily learned off of the internet.  At least I got a lot of help with the base components. After that is where the fun part of figuring the rest out on my own comes in. It's not much fun if their is no challenge to it. You can see our resources section below that lists many of the sites that I attained information or resources from.

I am a licensed electrician, plumber, and contractor.  As well I have a degree in engineering and an MBA.  Not sure how the MBA is relevant here, but I’m proud of it, so love to flaunt it.

Well I’m blessed to be sponsored by Toltera.  A remodeling company here in Tucson.

In 2008, we estimated that 80,000 individuals came by to view the display.  This number seems to exponentially increase every year.

Actual setup takes about 4 weeks. You can see the specific hours involved in the process on our Technical page.

Tear down only takes about 4 days which, once again, you can see on the Technical page.

All of the equipment is stored on location.  Over the years, I’ve created everything so that it breaks down compact enough to be easily stored.

Surprisingly enough, my electric bill is only about $100.00 more than normal for December. This is substantially lower than I had even expected. I can assume that its due to the lights going on and off and not staying on constatly. 

TEP DOES NOT pay the electric bill for Winterhaven.  This is one of those common myths that are associated with Winterhaven.

Winterhaven DOES NOT require that residence hang Christmas lights.  However I’d estimate that about 80% of the homes do have a light display of some kind.

The season is based around the Winterhaven Festival of Lights Schedule.  Typically it is from the first weekend in December through the weekend right after Christmas.  Approximately three weeks.

You can read all about the technical aspects of the display on the Technical and How To’s section of the the site.

Oh ya!  We try to keep lights off in the house during the shows as to not distract the viewers, and because we need all the power we can get for the lights. :)

Oh no!  I’ve got some great friends like Brian, Ryan, Forrest, George, and Rich that help out with the setup.  There’s no way I could do it without these guys.