More seating sets the stage for Maggie Valley Pavilion events
Apr. 22—A portion of the open-air seating at the Maggie Valley Pavilion will soon be protected from the elements, thanks to grant funds awarded to the town.
A 16-by-20-foot covered area will be added to the Maggie Pavilion with a $10,000 Community Enhancement grant from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.
"People come and bring their own chairs and sit out in the yard in front of the pavilion, but this would just add to it by providing a covering during inclement weather," Town Manager Vickie Best explained.
Monthly concerts by the Haywood Community Band are some of the most popular events held at the venue, with the audience spilling out of the open-air pavilion onto the surrounding lawn. Now, a larger portion of the seating will be under cover.
The town will also buy new commercial grade picnic tables for the grounds out of its own money.
"This new addition allows people to sit outside but covered, which they couldn't do before, and hear things that are going on inside the pavilion," said Alderman Tim Wise.
As the retired Tuscola band director, Wise is obviously a fan of the performing arts — and he personally crafted the grant application to make the pavilion a better venue.
"One of my goals is to enhance the pavilion area so that we can bring in more events," Wise said. "If we continue to improve our facilities for our community, then we're gonna be able to sponsor more things."
The pavilion is currently used for all types of events, including a venue for the Haywood Community Band and the Blue Ridge Big Band performances.
"You've got folks of all different ages who perform in those. People appreciate that, they'd like to come out to a nice concert on a Sunday afternoon or an evening," Wise said. "Having that facility allows us to have a more intimate type of event with only a couple hundred people versus the larger facilities."
Best noted what a staple the pavilion has been. The pavilion was built by The Civic Association back in the '90s.
"All of Maggie Valley's leaders from back then have mostly passed away. So that was a living legacy for them," Best said.
She helped assist Wise in applying for the grant earlier this year.
"It gets rented a lot. Birthday parties, wedding receptions, anniversary parties, family reunions. It's a good little place, but it definitely could use some TLC," Best added.
