LEWISTON — The Kennedy Park gazebo is brightly lit for this weekend’s Holiday Festival and photos with Santa.

New lights were recently installed as part of a restoration project that began in October 2014 and was completed this year, Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau said.

“The lighting was always scheduled,” he said. “It just hadn’t been done yet. There was a sense of urgency to get the gazebo open for the summer.” 

After recent vandalism, metal railings were installed.

“Rather than replace (railings) with the same wood, we used something that would hopefully stand the ‘abuse’ on the structure, so it won’t be as easily damaged,” Nadeau said.

The gazebo was deemed structurally unsafe and closed in 2010. Plans to restore it included moving it 6 feet south, putting in new foundation posts, building a new support system for the roof and reconditioning and repainting the tin roof. The project cost $156,600.

According to a history of the gazebo written by local historian Douglas Hodgkin, the first bandstand was built in the park in 1868. It was replaced in 1925. Since then, it’s been used for concerts and band performances and political rallies for local, state and national candidates.