How was Michael Jackson’s birthday night held? (+ photos and video)
Michael Jackson’s mother and children traveled starting August 26 to take part in a four-day celebration in Gary. T.J. Jackson, the new guardian of Michael’s children and their cousin, along with his son Royal, Aunt Latoya, and Trent Jackson, accompanied them on this trip.
Catherine Jackson and Blanket were not present at this conference; they were sitting outside in their SUV.
Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson announced the start of the four-day Michael Jackson birthday celebration at this conference. She said: "This celebration is being held for your father. Our goal is to show you how valuable your father was to each and every one of us."
After this ceremony, the mayor met with Michael’s mother and children inside the SUV to remind them that the event would be held in the best possible way. She said: "The kids are still shy; they haven’t grown up in fame."
Mrs. Wilson praised Catherine Jackson and said that she had been announcing since the beginning of the year that she was ready to help them at the birthday celebration for her son in Gary. She added: "Mrs. Jackson said that for Michael’s birthday, she’s coming back here because she wants Michael’s children to know their roots and see where their father grew up."
Also, on the occasion of Michael’s birthday, a museum of Michael Jackson memorabilia and photos was opened in Gary, attracting many fans.
To download a video from yesterday’s press conference and the Michael Jackson Museum click.
After that, Michael’s children went to their father’s childhood home to light candles for Michael among their fan crowd during a ceremony. They signed autographs for fans, greeted them, and watched as one of his impersonators performed their father’s songs.
Pastor Jesse Jackson, an old friend of the Jackson family and one of the companions of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was also among those attending the ceremony. He took a photo with the Michael impersonator and led the crowd in the chant "Long live Michael."
With the fans
Source: eMJey.com / ABC & Washington Post
Paris with T.J. and their guitars
Yesterday, Michael’s children went sightseeing around the city of Gary and also stopped by their father’s former school along the way. After that, they attended a press conference at the Majestic Star Casino Hotel to receive buttons and T-shirts that had the words "I love Gary" written on them from the mayor’s wife.
Catherine Jackson and Blanket were not present at this conference; they were sitting outside in their SUV.
Mayor Karen Freeman Wilson announced the start of the four-day Michael Jackson birthday celebration at this conference. She said: "This celebration is being held for your father. Our goal is to show you how valuable your father was to each and every one of us."
After this ceremony, the mayor met with Michael’s mother and children inside the SUV to remind them that the event would be held in the best possible way. She said: "The kids are still shy; they haven’t grown up in fame."
Mrs. Wilson praised Catherine Jackson and said that she had been announcing since the beginning of the year that she was ready to help them at the birthday celebration for her son in Gary. She added: "Mrs. Jackson said that for Michael’s birthday, she’s coming back here because she wants Michael’s children to know their roots and see where their father grew up."
Also, on the occasion of Michael’s birthday, a museum of Michael Jackson memorabilia and photos was opened in Gary, attracting many fans.
To download a video from yesterday’s press conference and the Michael Jackson Museum click.
After that, Michael’s children went to their father’s childhood home to light candles for Michael among their fan crowd during a ceremony. They signed autographs for fans, greeted them, and watched as one of his impersonators performed their father’s songs.
Pastor Jesse Jackson, an old friend of the Jackson family and one of the companions of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was also among those attending the ceremony. He took a photo with the Michael impersonator and led the crowd in the chant "Long live Michael."
Photo by Paris Jackson. She wrote: You guys are amazing
To download a video of this ceremony click.
Today, Michael’s children are expected to watch a baseball game featuring the city’s professional team in Gary. A dinner party has been arranged for tomorrow at the Majestic Star Casino Hotel, and on Saturday there will be a memorial concert at the West Side Theater.
Washington, D.C., which is located near Gary, will also be hosting celebrations during these days. In addition, in New York, a concert was held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of Michael’s album BAD and his birth. Ne-Yo performed Michael’s songs at the concert.
He previously said in an interview: "You have to do your best to perform Michael’s songs." He added that Michael Jackson was the reason he became a singer. Ne-Yo also said that he has tattooed Michael Jackson on his heart.
To see more photos from yesterday’s events in Gary, continue reading.
Press conference
With the fans
Source: eMJey.com / ABC & Washington Post