{{short description|Gospel music festival held in Jamaica}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Use British English|date=March 2019}} '''Fun in the Son''', also known as '''Best Dressed Fun in the Son''', is an annual gospel music festival held in Jamaica.
==History== First held in March 2002 as a free event, it was originally staged at King's House and Heroes Circle in Kingston.<ref name="Fun14" /><ref name="Diouf">Diouf, Mamadou & Nwankwo, Ifeoma Kiddoe (eds.) (2010) ''Rhythms of the Afro-Atlantic World: Rituals and Remembrances'', University of Michigan Press, {{ISBN|978-0472070961}}, p. 50</ref> It became a three-week festival and moved to Kingston in 2005.<ref name="Gleaner1206">"[http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120626/ent/ent2.html Kirk Franklin To Headline Fun In The Son 2012]", ''Jamaica Gleaner'', 26 June 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2014</ref> It is organised by Tommy Cowan and Carlene Davis's Glory Music organisation.<ref name="Fun14" /> Cowan described the aim of the festival as to "win this generation for Christ".<ref name="Gleaner1405">"[http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20140525/ent/ent73.html Churches Take To The Streets In Support Of Fun In The Son]", ''Jamaica Gleaner'', 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014</ref>
The event attracted sponsorship from the Jamaican Broilers Group and was renamed 'Best Dressed Fun in the Son', a reference to the group's Best Dressed Chicken brand.<ref name="Fun14">"[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Fun-in-the-Son-moves-to-Jamworld_16087138 Fun in the Son moves to Jamworld]", ''Jamaica Observer'', 19 February 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014</ref> In 2012 Fun in the Son was staged at National Heroes Park in Kingston, one of the official events held as part of the celebrations of Jamaica's 50 years of independence.<ref name="Gleaner1206" /><ref name="Gleaner1205">"[http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120524/ent/ent3.html Fun In The Son Changes Date, Venue]", ''Jamaica Gleaner'', 24 May 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2014</ref> An event was also held in Haiti in 2013, and an Autumn tour of schools in Jamaica took place that year.<ref name="Obs1309">"[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Fun-in-the-Son-school-tour-starts-Monday_15144714 Fun in the Son school tour starts Monday]", ''Jamaica Observer'', 27 September 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2014</ref>
As well as musical performances, the event includes religious ministry and expanded to include fairground rides and other attractions.<ref name="Fun14" /> The 2014 event is to feature extreme sports, football, marching bands, and a Gospel jazz concert.<ref name="Gleaner1405" /><ref>"[http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20140227/ent/ent7.html Jamworld to host Fun in the Son] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525200810/http://jamaica-star.com/thestar/20140227/ent/ent7.html |date=25 May 2014 }}", ''Jamaica Star'', 27 February 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014</ref>
In 2014 the event will be staged in July at the Jamworld Entertainment Complex in Portmore, St. Catherine.<ref name="Fun14" />
Headline artists over the years have included Papa San, Carlene Davis, Kirk Franklin, and Goddy Goddy.<ref name="Fun14" /><ref name="Gleaner1206" /> Other artists to perform include Lieutenant Stitchie, Prodigal Son, The Grace Thrillers, Hezekiah Walker, and Ron Kenoly.<ref name="Diouf" />
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://funinthesonjam.com/}} {{Religious music festival}}
Category:Gospel music festivals Category:Music festivals established in 2002 Category:Folk festivals in Jamaica Category:Christian music festivals Category:Kingston, Jamaica Category:Jazz festivals in Jamaica Category:Blues festivals in Jamaica