Contact: Craig Chastain, 503-614-1554

MANDEVILLE, Jamaica, April 28 /Christian Newswire/ -- In the largest public gathering ever seen in Mandeville, Jamaica, the Best Dressed 50Fest with Andrew Palau wrapped Sunday night, April 27, as tens of thousands packed the playfield of Manchester High School for two days of entertainment and messages of hope.

The event launched a 3-city celebration running April 26 through May 4 that marks the 50th anniversary of Jamaica Broilers Group. In partnership with the global ministry of the Luis Palau Association and churches across Jamaica, JBG has underwritten the costs for free, family-friendly festivals in Mandeville, Montego Bay and Kingston. The festivals will feature both local and international gospel musicians, including Papa San, Carlene Davis, Prodigal Son, tobyMac, and Israel Houghton & New Breed, as well as messages of God's love from evangelists Luis Palau, Andrew Palau and Miles McPherson.

Perched in Jamaica's central mountains west of Kingston, Mandeville was the perfect setting for this "festival for everyone": world-class Christian music, extreme sports demos from the Livin It® Action Sports Team; a massive children's Fun Zone and stage; and a powerful Gospel message from world evangelist and Christian communicator Andrew Palau. Some of the Caribbean's biggest musical stars entertained the crowds, including MAJA Artist of the Year D.J. Nicholas, gospel music veterans Hensley King and the Grace Thrillers, dancehall standout Prodigal Son, and "Songbird of the Caribbean" Carlene Davis.

"This weekend we saw the fruit of years of relationship-building between our friends at Broilers and Jamaica's church family," said Palau. "It's a thrill for us to be partnering with the churches and with a company that has been so blessed by God for their service and their faithfulness."

As with all Palau festivals, evangelism was at the heart of 50Fest. A Gospel message was presented multiple times from the skateboard deck, the motocross ramps and the children's stage. On the main stage, Andrew Palau presented a clear Gospel message as he has at similar events in India, Egypt, central Europe and throughout the United States. Several thousand documented decisions to follow Christ were collected.

The next few weeks will be particularly busy for Palau. From Mandeville he flies to Ethiopia where he'll join wife Wendy as they adopt a baby girl. After a brief time at home he travels to speak at festivals in Bucharest, Romania, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Dallas, Texas.