Wholesome entertainment the key to Funfest success

With three stagings per year, organisers of Funfest say the event continues to see major success because its entertainment package caters to the entire family.

Speaking with THE WEEKEND STAR following the event, promoter Gyete Ghartey of GLK Entertainment said that he and his team take great pride in selecting artistes, dancers, and emcees to perform at the family fun day, pointing out that although the rides are a huge pull, patrons also come out to enjoy the on-stage entertainment.

Ghartey explained that contrary to popular belief, the pool of entertainers who can provide wholesome entertainment in Jamaica is quite large.

"There are a number of talented artistes who are clean entertainers. They have good music that all age groups can enjoy and we pull on those ones for the event. They have all lived up to expectations over the years and we have not had a complaint. Funfest this Easter was awesome and we continue to grow," he said.

This year's Easter edition, which took place at Hope Gardens last Monday, saw performances from Dancing Dynamite contestants, fire breathers and a host of gospel artistes including vocal powerhouse, Kevin Downswell.

Downswell, who has performed at the event before, said he always looks forward to gracing the Funfest stage because it's one of the few spaces he gets to see so many families together.

He delivered an energetic set towards the close of the show. Highlighting the sacrifices Christ made for man, Downswell encouraged the Funfest crowd to celebrate in the resurrection of Christ because Jesus' death meant mankind could live.

He was preceded by two up-and-coming gospel acts, O'Shane McHugh and Christopher Gayle. They whet the appetites of the patrons, who danced up a dust storm as they were encouraged to unashamedly 'get their praise on'.

By the time Dowsnwell touched the stage, the atmosphere of worship was already well set and his only task was to take things to a higher level, which he did.