Funfest aims at Christmas spirit

Christmas has become increasingly commercialised and the ideals of fellowship, friendship and selfless beneficence that the holiday promotes are often forgotten.

It is with this in mind that founder and CEO of Famfun Entertainment, Tshani Jaja, decided to partner with the Child Development Agency (CDA) to host 200 children and their caregivers from six childrens homes across Jamaica at the inaugural staging of Funfest - the unique family festival.

"These kids are going to be our special guests for the day and we really just want to do our best to make them feel that way because they are special. In the spirit of Christmas we want to show them that they should truly feel appreciated and they are a part of a bigger family," Jaja told The Gleaner.

Part proceeds from Funfest will also go towards the CDA in the form of personal and professional development workshops for teenagers within these homes to prepare them for independent living.

Funfest will be held at Hope Gardens on December 23 and is slated to run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Toddlers up to 4 years old pay no admission and children ages 5 to 17 years pay $500 while adults will be charged $800.

The event promises a unique family experience catering to every member of the family from infants to grandparents.

According to the event's activities guide, Funfest will be offering a plethora of rides, slides, games and sports specifically designed to appeal to every member of the family. Parents can also choose to be pampered in the Cadbury/Trident Adult Lounge while babies are looked after by certified nannies in the Cubbies Nanny Lounge.

The Jamaica 50-endorsed event will also feature a Jamaica 50 Cultural Zone along with a food village and will also host a Christmas Concert for patrons which will feature gospel-reggae artiste, Jermaine Edwards, youth choirs, dance groups and more.

Santa Claus will also be making a special trip to Funfest to bestow some early Christmas gifts on the first 200 children.

Funfest is the first family event under Famfun Entertainment, which was established just this year.

Jaja, who is a single parent of one, told The Gleaner she decided to start Famfun entertainment because she saw a void in the entertainment market for wholesome, family-based entertainment.

According to Jaja, next year Famfun is planning to host a double staging of Funfest - the first being in the summer and the second to follow around the Christmas holidays.

Jaja also revealed that the company is also planning activities for other holidays when children will be off from school.