Saying “I look forward to returning for years to come,” 93-year-old Mimi Levitt shined with excitement as she welcomed Westport’s newest jewel: the refurbished Levitt pavilion.
The $9 million public/private project — propelled by a $4.5 million grant from the Levitt Foundation — represents a complete overhaul of an already intriguing downtown attraction.
With a soaring, sail-inspired, state-of-the-art stage; a killer sound system; amenities like dressing rooms, food concessions, ramps and restrooms — plus a completely renovated riverwalk that now extends all the way to the point behind the pavilion — this Levitt marks the 2nd transformation of a former landfill.
Parks and Rec, politicians, architects and construction folks all took their bows.
Then Jose Feliciano took over. His kick-butt show is just the start of a summer filled with entertainment.
And there was not a mosquito in sight.
A small portion of the large crowd, and the new Levitt stage.
The one and only Jose Feliciano. The Weston resident donated his fee to the Levitt building fund.
The lawn is full — but there’s still plenty of room to relax.
Mimi Levitt — 93 years young — and her daughter Liz Levitt Hirsch.
Dancing on the grass, to Jose Feliciano.
Freda and Carleigh Welsh: 2 of the driving forces behind the Levitt Pavilion’s success.
The new Levitt has real restrooms. And they are already in use.
The landscaping extends beyond the stage, out to the point where the Levitt juts into the Saugatuck River. A newly enhanced riverwalk adds to the beauty.