SINCE PAN inception, 13 years ago, entertainment has played a major role and this year’s staging is no different.

Gospel singer/minister Kevin Downswell is among several acts who will grace the stage at Regional 1 at Folly Oval in Portland on Saturday, August 25. The event is slated to start at noon and runs until 8:00 pm. Admission is free.

“PAN 2018 is people centred and people-focused. The real community comes to these events and that is what I enjoy most; ministering, encouraging and inspiring real people with real issues,” said Downswell.

Downswell — whose hit list includes Stronger, If It’s Not You, Goodbye World, Close to You, Enough, and Already Done — will minister through his musical selections.

He shared what he has in store for patrons attending Regional 1 of PAN 2018.

“I will be doing a number of tracks from the new album and so much more. Expect it to be full of energy and full of God,” he said.

Downswell recently released the live album Realignment: The Live Encounter.

“The reception to the live album has been very good. We have a lot planned for it, including overseas tours in the Caribbean, North America, Europe and in Africa,” Downswell added.

Jamaica National’s Group Marketing Manager Jason McNeish commented on Downswell’s inclusion on the PAN 2018 line-up.

“Kevin’s inclusion is an excellent addition as it is in keeping with the competition’s mandate of providing wholesome family entertainment. The fact that he is one of Jamaica’s best voices, will also add value to the entertainment package,” said McNeish.

Current dancehall sensation Govana and Elephant Man are also billed to perform.

“PAN is always a fun-filled day, jammed with great entertainment. We work hard to ensure our stage acts appeal to a wide cross section of our audience. The artistes we work with always deliver with electrifying sets, and Kevin has really become a staple at PAN,” said Kemoi Burke, business development coordinator at CB Foods.

PAN 2018, hosted by CB Foods, is a culinary extravaganza at which pan chefs compete in a live 60-minute cook-off. A winner and runner-up (first and second place) are chosen from each parish to advance to the Grand Final on October 28 at the National Stadium to vie for the coveted title of PAN 2018 Grand Champion.

Competitors representing the parishes of Kingston & St Andrew, Portland, St Thomas, St Mary, St Ann, Trelawny, and St Catherine will square off for pan chicken supremacy at PAN 2018 – Regional 1.