Jul 10, 2009 7:00 pm US/Pacific
Thousands Gather In Gary, Ind. For Jackson Tribute
GARY, Ind. (CBS) ―
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Isaiah Mercado (center) impersonates Michael Jackson during a memorial service for Jackson at the Steelyard, a minor league baseball park in Jackson's boyhood hometown July 10, 2009 in Gary, Indiana.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Thousands of fans gathered in Michael Jackson's hometown Friday for a tribute to the fallen pop star. The event in Gary, Ind. was held at the U.S. Steel Stadium, CBS station WBBM-TV reported.
The memorial took place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It featured prayers, a question and answer session with the Jackson family and dozens of musical acts.
Fans began arriving over night, WBBM-TV reported. A crowd of roughly 200 was gathered at the gates just before they opened at 4 p.m. Many waited outside in the rain; some with Michael Jackson tattoos and others wearing gloves.
Singer Deniece Williams and former Miss Indiana Kellee Patterson were among the performers at the event.
Gary officials describe it as "an evening of entertainment" with lots of Michael Jackson music and videos.
The L.A. memorial earlier in the week was a star-studded tribute. Some of the fans in the Gary crowd say they couldn't be in California so they came here.
One fan awaiting the service said he expects it will be both a happy and sad event.
Peter Mata, 33, 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.
Gary Mayor Rudy Clay had requested that Jackson's body lie in state in Gary, but after the memorial in Los Angeles earlier this week, Jackson's golden casket was taken away. It is not known where Jackson's final resting place will be.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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