Shikisha Cowan of Glory Music, producer of the Hi-Pro Denbigh Gospel Extravaganza, says patrons are in for a treat at this year’s event.

The event, which forms part of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 3 at the Denbigh showgrounds in May Pen, Clarendon.

“It’s going to be the debut of Levy’s Heritage, and they will be backed by the premier gospel band The Right Band. There’s also Carlene Davis, Carey Sayles, Sister Patt, Jodian Pantry, Orville Sutherland, and George Nooks on the line-up,” Cowan told the Jamaica Observer at the launch of the annual agriculture event on Wednesday at the Hi-Pro offices at White Marl, St Catherine.

The Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, which is presented by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, is now in its 71st year.

The gospel showcase has been a part of the event since the 1990s.

“The last gospel showcase was held in 2023, but last year when Hurricane Beryl hit, it was decided that it was more important to help the farmers to recover than it was for the entertainment package. Glory Music has been doing this alongside the JAS since the late 1990s. Since about 2010, it officially became Hi-Pro Denbigh Gospel Extravaganza after Hi-Pro came on board as title sponsor. With this event we bring the thanksgiving to God for everything that he has done for the agriculture industry, as well as the evangelical outreach, because any opportunity that we have to share the gospel of Christ, is something that we’re going to take,” Cowan explained.

She continued: “We are going to have the word as part of our presentation, so Reverend Steve Hepburn will also participate. It will be a blessing to everyone.”

Colonel (ret’d) Jaimie Ogilvie, vice-president of Hi-Pro, is pleased that the gospel extravaganza is making a return to the offerings at Denbigh this year.

“We’re happy to see it back this year and we are happy for the partnership with Glory Music. You have to take into account that life is holistic and, for us, spiritual is a very important often overlooked in events like this. And the gospel extravaganza is a perfect medium that we can use to address the spiritual side of our society and not just the agricultural community, but to address the spiritual side of folks. And we found that this event has been the perfect vehicle for that over the years,” said Ogilvie.

Gospel artiste Carey Sayles, who alongside Dr Carlene Davis performed at the launch, said patrons are in for an amazing worship experience.

“You can expect a wonderful and amazing worship experience. We’re going to get the people worshipping the Lord the Jamaican way, and we’re just giving God praises. Last year was a tough time, and we waan bring back a whole heap a energy, because what we missed last year we a double it this year,” Sayles shared.