With barely contained anticipation, the patrons covered the distance from the University of the West Indies’ main gate all the way to the UWI Mona Bowl — site of this year’s staging of the popular gospel fest, Fun in the Son.

Seemingly compensating for a journey that seemed everlasting, the space of the venue, unlike that of last year at Jamaica College, was more than what the mind had conceived.

Having no inhibitions about being swallowed up by the ever-growing crowd, patrons shouted for Prodigal Son who, upon Observer’s arrival, was in the middle of his performance.

He more than made up for his absence from the festival for the past three years, delivering songs like Don’t Give Up On Jesus and Blessings A Run Mi Dung. With vengeance, he positioned himself for a militant delivery of Lava Ground, and Put Yuh Bible Inna Di Air.

He made way for Carlene Davis, who floated on stage rendering This Island Needs Jesus and Healing Rain, her vocals impeccable and strong. With a performance complemented by dancers and the melodies of her back-up singers, she offered Threshing Floor.

Apparently, she had set the stage for international evangelist Andrew Palau. Preaching from St John 8, he pleaded with everyone to accept God.

“Becoming a child of God,” he says, “will guarantee freedom from the bonds of sin, as “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

Admittedly, his message was less powerful than last year, when he related to the audience how he had snatched life from the jaws of death, after escaping from a plane crash in Montego Bay. However, it did successfully result in several souls surrendering.

With newfound energy after the preaching, the crowd exploded when Papa San danced on stage. Bettering his performance from last year, he had the crowd in a frenzy as he delivered Pop Style and Step Pon Di Enemy. This saw the massive audience dancing and shouting as if their life depended on it.

Shaking their tambourines to Church House, the connection between Papa San and his audience was of such that it made them one, proving almost impossible to differentiate performer from audience.

As if the atmosphere wasn’t already heated enough, US-based gospel act Tye Tribbett added more fuel. Jumping to No Way and singing along to I Will Bless The Lord, the thousands inside the UWI Bowl were charged, just like his performance.

In a quest to squeeze the last drop of fun out of the Son, the crowd emptied their energy in Take Over, which closed the night.

Larger than Genesis by far, all the elements came together — a great venue, stirring performances, a receptive crowd and a beautiful moon — for the ninth staging of Fun in the Son.