If Marilyn Levin could see the impact of the Fred Levin Way Fest Celebration of Giving on the community, she would feel as if “it was her life dream fulfilled,” said son Martin Levin.
What about his father, the festival’s flashy namesake? The legendary Pensacola law titan Fred Levin would be “thrilled internally,” the son said.
“He would love to show up and be the center of attention,” Martin Levin said. “Outwardly, he’d be joking about his crazy kids giving away all my money. He’d joke like that, but his internal pride would be tremendous.”
Marilyn Levin, a well-known philanthropist who would hand-make Easter baskets for children in the hospital during the spring holiday, died in 2011. Fred Levin died in 2021, just weeks before the 10th anniversary of his wife’s death. The couple was married for 51 years and had four children.
The Celebration of Giving provides more than 170,000 free essential items to festivalgoers each year. Participating nonprofits and service organizations distribute their own swag, as well as essential items purchased by the Fred Levin Way Foundation, which puts on the festival. The foundation is overseen by the Levins’ son Martin and daughters Debra Dreyer, Marci Goodman and Kimberly Brielymayer.
The fifth annual Fred Levin Way Fest, normally held on Fred Levin Way, a downtown street near Palafox named in the patriarch’s honor, will move to Pensacola Blue Wahoos Stadium and the adjoining Community Maritime Park for the 2026 festival, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 12.
The move is due to the Reimagine Palafox construction that began in January, which makes Fred Levin Way less feasible this year.
Depending on how this year’s festival runs at the new location, a permanent move to the stadium and park might be a possibility, Martin Levin said.
Either way, the 2026 Fred Levin Way Fest will continue its mission of assisting the community, offering fun, food and free goodies from 60 service groups and nonprofit organizations that will also be providing resources and information.
What items are given away at Fred Levin Way Fest?
In 2025, more than 10,000 people, largely families, attended the festival, which distributed:
The family expects similar numbers, in terms of visitors and distributed items, for the April 12, 2026 festival.
There will also be 12 food trucks on site, and visitors are given a ticket to be used at one of those food trucks. Last year, more than 5,200 free meals were given away. The festival will also offer (remember, it’s all free) cotton candy, popcorn, ice cream and Snoballs, children’s activities including a bounce house, face painting, games, art and more.
That’s not all. Pensacola’s own Jordan Chase, who has appeared on “American Idol” and “The Voice” will perform live at the festival. Events and activities will take place inside the stadium and outside at the Community Maritime Park.
The festival also offers an opportunity for individuals and families to receive information and resources from organizations that provide service and help in areas including animal welfare, early childhood development, substance abuse, hunger and poverty, health and healthcare, including mental health, domestic violence, sex abuse, child abuse, education and many more.
Stephanie Shepard attended her first Fred Levin Way Fest as a parent with children in its second year, right as she was launching her own effort, Hope Above Fear, a nonprofit organization that promotes awareness about the dangers of substance use, extends assistance to youth and young adults affected by substance misuse, and provides support for families navigating those challenges.
This will be her third year at the festival representing her Hope Above Fear organization, which Shepard formed following the drug overdose death of her firstborn child, Isaiah Shepard, 18, who died on Oct. 29, 2022. Besides his mother and many others who loved him, he also left behind two younger sisters, Layla, now 17, and Stella, 13.
“I went my first year as a parent and it was amazing and my kids loved it,” she said. “That was when I was starting the organization. Honestly, for a nonprofit, this is the number one way for us to be able to give out our merch and fliers and be able to connect with some of the families that come by. Some families come because of the free things being given away, but a lot of families stop by who have been impacted by substance abuse and overdoses. It’s an eye-opening experience for our volunteers.”
In October 2025, the Escambia County School District partnered with Hope Above Fear to create a “Better Without It” drug diversion program that is used in selected schools that have reported the highest disciplinary incidents with vapes and vaping substances.
For complete details about the Fred Levin Way Fest, including a map layout for the festival and parking details, go to www.fredlevinfest.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Fred Levin Way Fest has new spot, same great fun and free resources
Reporting by Troy Moon, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
