GARY, Ind. — A Michael Jackson fan awaiting a memorial service for the pop icon in his family's Indiana hometown says he expects it will be both a happy and sad event.
About 50 people waited about midday Friday at the gates of Gary's downtown baseball stadium as a light rain fell several hours before the memorial was to begin, with the singer's father, Joe Jackson, expected to attend.
Dozens of people were a couple miles away at Jackson's boyhood home taking photographs and buying souvenirs.
Thirty-three-year-old Peter Mata of Streator, Ill., was first in line at the stadium. He says he expects a celebration of Jackson's musical career but sadness over his death.
Jackson lived in Gary until the Jackson 5 struck it big in 1969 when he was 11 years old.
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In photo: Michael Jackson fans paid tribute to the King of Pop in a Gary, IN memorial on Friday, June 26, 2009.
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
About 50 people waited about midday Friday at the gates of Gary's downtown baseball stadium as a light rain fell several hours before the memorial was to begin, with the singer's father, Joe Jackson, expected to attend.
Dozens of people were a couple miles away at Jackson's boyhood home taking photographs and buying souvenirs.
Thirty-three-year-old Peter Mata of Streator, Ill., was first in line at the stadium. He says he expects a celebration of Jackson's musical career but sadness over his death.
Jackson lived in Gary until the Jackson 5 struck it big in 1969 when he was 11 years old.
______
In photo: Michael Jackson fans paid tribute to the King of Pop in a Gary, IN memorial on Friday, June 26, 2009.
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
