Editorial: Fred Levin Fest's 'Celebration of Giving' is a gift to families of Pensacola

The first-ever Fred Levin Way Fest will now be the first annual Fred Levin Way Fest after the remarkably successful turnout last weekend.

The event, which was promoted as a "Celebration of Giving," was a true gift to the people of Pensacola, a place the festival's namesake loved like no other.

Fred Levin passed away in 2021 at the age of 83 after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Levin was a born-and-raised Pensacola native who became a renown trail attorney, a boxing promoter, a raconteur and a philanthropist who was often referred to as the "world's greatest lawyer" during his long career.

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Last weekend, the city of Pensacola renamed a downtown block of Zarragossa Street in his honor.

To accompany the street-naming, Levin's son, Martin Levin, said the family wanted to create an event that their father would have personally reveled in — a day of giving and fun for local families.

"We've been involved in a bunch of charity events over the years and honestly, after some of them, you just feel a little worn out from all the planning when the event is over," said Martin Levin. "Not with this one. It was so positive and joyful, we all just felt energized after it was over. We were just so happy at the turnout. Dad would have loved it."

Martin Levin said that the diversity at the event reflected his dad's spirit and values.

"A woman who grew up here came up to me during the event to just look around at the families and diversity and she said how for a long time you'd never see Black folks and white folks together in certain parts of downtown," he said. "That was really special and exactly what dad wanted for Pensacola."

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Already brimming with ideas for the second annual Fred Levin Fest, Martin Levin said, "It's going to be much bigger."

But the results of the first event were already sizable. Levin broke down some of the numbers from the day:

• Roughly 4,000 people attended. "And it was beautiful, all families," Levin beamed.

• There were 1,200 free meals served.

• There were 1,000 prizes given out, including toys for all ages, fitness equipment, electronics, art and science supplies.

• Another 1,000 toothbrushes were given out.

• One thousand ECAT tickets were given out.

• 500 free admissions to the Pensacola Children’s Museum were given away.

• Hundreds of diapers, underwear, and socks were given out to local families.

• 100 Whataburger gift certificates were given out.

• 100 free admissions to Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball games were given away.

• 40 nonprofit booths, each providing helpful supplies and information were there to assist anyone who might be in need of services.

"And we're going to do even more next year," Levin said.

As an example, Levin noted how one of his father's all-time favorite cuisine destinations was Whataburger.

"Dad loved Whataburger. He would intentionally not eat the meals at fancy events and dinners just so we could get Whataburger afterwards."

So when the family contacted the famous burger chain about the possibility of including a food truck in the festivities, the company was overjoyed to learn that the world's greatest trial lawyer had been such a fan of their food and opened the possibility of involving Whataburger's charitable foundation in next year's celebration.

That's just a small moment from an event inspired by a man whose extraordinary success always remained grounded to his local roots and a deep sense of humor and humility.

Martin Levin said one of the most touching moment's from last weekend came in a surprise speech delivered by world boxing legend and fellow Pensacola native, Roy Jones Jr.

Fred Levin had served as Jones' manager during his career and the two shared a profound friendship linked by their world class personal success and their common roots in Pensacola.

"We didn't know he was going to speak, but Roy's speech was amazing," Martin Levin said. "He didn't read a word of it and it was the most heartfelt speech about his love for Dad."

It was just another extraordinary glimpse into the extraordinary life of a hometown boy. Fred Levin was a man who became the best in the world at his trade and gained the wealth and professional success to live in any city on Earth that he wanted to, no matter the expense or prestige. Paris. London. Tokyo. Rome. But Fred chose to stay home in Pensacola.

"'Hey Fred!' That's how everyone in town referred to him. Always 'Fred.' Dad was down home," said Martin Levin. "We could just be walking in to grab lunch at Joey Patti's or Whataburger and no matter where we were, folks in Pensacola always just knew Dad as 'Fred.'"

Tremendous thanks go out to the entire Levin family and the Levin Papantonio Rafferty law firm for creating a new springtime tradition for the people of Pensacola. As much as Fred Levin loved his hometown, his spirit of generosity continues to be a gift to Pensacola for years and years to come.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Fred Levin Fest Celebration of Giving is gift to Pensacola | Editorial