In a move to offer avenues for young adults to step into meaningful roles within society, this year’s staging of the Best Dressed Chicken Fun in the Son will feature a dynamic work and wellness hub. 

The festival, set for April 20 at the National Stadium, promises activities for the entire family.

The event will start at 10:00 am in The Best Dressed Chicken Village and will feature a food court and a dynamic kids and teens area. Simultaneously, the National Arena will play host to the work and wellness hub, offering free health services and recruitment opportunities. 

The festival is a celebration of the Best Dressed Chicken’s 65th anniversary, honouring God’s faithfulness to the company throughout the years.

While recruitment opportunities and free health services have been a part of Fun In The Son previously, this year marks a significant expansion in offerings. 

“We recognise that awareness and accessibility are challenges in the job market, so creating a platform that connects potential job seekers with recruiters free of charge, helps to level the playing field while increasing the pool of candidates available to our recruiting partners.” said Danah Cameron, festival director, Best Dressed Chicken Fun In The Son.

Cameron emphasised the company’s dedication to fostering personal growth and serving community needs, through partnerships with the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for officer recruitment and operation mobilisation for missions aboard the Logos Hope, known locally as ‘the book ship’.

Additionally, in response to the pressing need for teachers across the island, the Best Dressed Chicken team has teamed up with the University of Technology (UTech) to recruit for their programmes.

During the event, patrons will have the opportunity to apply for various programmes offered by UTech’s School of Technical and Vocational Education (SOTAVE). These programmes include both teaching and non-teaching specialisations such as business studies, fashion design, food service production and management, industrial technology, and entertainment design production and management.

According to UTech lecturer Donald Mirander SOTAVE’s primary objectives are to aid at least 300 prospective students in completing and submitting applications seamlessly using its ‘One Click’ stations onsite.

This step is pivotal, as it marks the initial stride towards certifying one’s passion and embarking on a transformative educational journey.

Mirander continued, “An event of this kind will further shine a spotlight on our programme to an untapped market for us to engage with potential students about the various benefits of studying in The Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, for example, the opportunity to network with like-minded creatives in similar areas and graduate with industry based knowledge and experience which assists in cementing them as experts within their respective fields.”

Similarly, the JCF views the work and wellness hub as an invaluable opportunity to engage with potential candidates for constable ranks. 

Sergeant Vincent Temple, JCF sub-officer of Area 4 and 5 recruiting office, said that while JCF conducts its recruitment programme all year round, this recruitment drive will assist the JCF in meeting its target of enlisting 1,250 men and women for 2024.

As the festival draws near, anticipation builds for the meaningful connections and opportunities that the Best Dressed Chicken Fun In The Son will provide.

The evening will culminate with the much-anticipated gospel concert from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, hosted by Nadine Blair and Timmy Sky and showcasing a lineup of both local and international artistes including Kirk Franklin, TobyMac, Kevin Downswell, Jermaine Edwards, Carlene Davis, Petra Kaye, Prince Saj, Signature Woman Worship Team and evangelist, Andrew Palau.

The Best Dressed Chicken sees the festival as a way of giving back and sharing this significant milestone with everyone who has contributed to its journey for 65 years.

Their hope is that lives will be transformed and for everyone to have wholesome fun where people can celebrate their love for Jesus Christ.