PHOTOS: Newbury Street League Annual Gala

Hundreds celebrated the Newbury Street League's 40th anniversary in style during Thursday night's gala at the Mandarin Oriental.

"I'm so proud to represent so many of you for 40 years," said Newbury Street League Executive Director Michele Messino. "Your success is our success." 

She gave a speical thank you to the league sponsors, and honored Newbury Street League founder Fay Rotenberg by committing to maintaining the flower garden in Fay Rotenberg Square at Clarendon and Newbury for a year.

"When she started the league in 1972, it's hard to believe Newbury Street was going down the drain," Rotenberg's son John Rotenberg said at the gala. His mother, he said, had a vision to represent small businesses and turn Newbury Street into one of the most wonderful, beautiful and unique streets in America. With a mix of historic architecture, commercial businesses and residences, his mother would be proud, he said.

The event was hosted by Karson of the Mix 104.1 radio show Karson and Kennedy, included live music by Sweet Sweet Tooth and the Sugarbabies, and a special performance by James Massone, a resident of Wakefield who was on NBC's "the Voice."