Michael Jackson's family, fans mark pop star's birthday
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Michael Jackson impersonator Carlo Riley from Denver, poses with three children near Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary, Ind. -- PHOTO: AP
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Angela Burnham and Lawrence Quarles dance to recorded music outside Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary, Ind. -- PHOTO: AP
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Michael Jackson impersonator performs to recorded music outside Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary, Ind. -- PHOTO: AP
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Gary Ind., residents dance to recorded music outside Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary. -- PHOTO: AP
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Michael Jackson impersonator Dominique Wilson performs to recorded music outside Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary, Ind. -- PHOTO: AP
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Autographed original Jackson 5 albums sit on display on the stairs of a home near Michael Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary, Ind. -- PHOTO: AP
Michael Jackson impersonator Carlo Riley from Denver, poses with three children near Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary, Ind. -- PHOTO: AP
Angela Burnham and Lawrence Quarles dance to recorded music outside Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary, Ind. -- PHOTO: AP
Michael Jackson impersonator performs to recorded music outside Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary, Ind. -- PHOTO: AP
Gary Ind., residents dance to recorded music outside Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary. -- PHOTO: AP
Michael Jackson impersonator Dominique Wilson performs to recorded music outside Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary, Ind. -- PHOTO: AP
Autographed original Jackson 5 albums sit on display on the stairs of a home near Michael Jackson's boyhood home during celebrations marking what would have been Jackson's 54th birthday Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Gary, Ind. -- PHOTO: AP
GARY, Indiana (AP) - The scene outside the childhood home of Michael Jackson resembled a party as fans joined members of the pop star's family for a vigil on Wednesday, which would have been his 54th birthday.
Fans danced to Jackson's music prior to the arrival of his children and mother at the house at 2300 Jackson St. where the King of Pop, his siblings and their parents lived until 1969. In the days after Jackson's death in 2009, the singer's admirers piled stuffed animals, flowers and photos outside the tiny home in Gary.
Among those at the Wednesday night vigil was Andrei Tejada, 32, a Chicago veterinary technician student who expressed pleasure that Jackson's relatives were attending the event.
"They still remember where they started and it shows they appreciate where they started. It's a humbling experience to know they are here," said Ms Tejada, who added she visits the Jackson childhood home once a month.
