A new two-day celebration in August will celebrate the legacy of the Jackson 5 in Gary and remind the community that “world-changing talent” can rise from its own neighborhoods, a city news release announced this week.
On Aug. 29 and 30, the city will host the 2300 Jackson Street Block Party at Roosevelt High School’s campus.
“As Mayor of Gary, I’m proud to celebrate the enduring legacy of Michael Jackson and the entire Jackson family with this incredible homecoming event,” Mayor Eddie Melton said in a news release. “The 2300 Jackson Street Block Party is more than a celebration — it’s a tribute to the roots of greatness that started right here in our city. We honor the Jacksons not just for their global impact, but for the pride and inspiration they continue to give the people of Gary.”
The celebration will start on Michael Jackson’s birthday, Aug. 29, and will be hosted by actor and comedian Chris Tucker. Attendees will hear and see Michael Jackson’s “legendary music and films that continue to inspire generations worldwide.”
On Aug. 30, Gary will honor the Jackson family and welcome Jackie and Marlon Jackson, who are both original members of the Jackson 5. The city will also recognize Tito Jackson, who died in September.
Tito Jackson was the third of nine Jackson children and was a background singer who played guitar in the band, according to Post-Tribune archives. Tito Jackson repeatedly returned to Gary and supported Melton’s mayoral campaign, saying he would return the city to the vibrant community he grew up in.
Grammy-award winning vocalist Deniece Williams will host the event on Aug. 30. Other performers will include rapper Freddie Gibbs, DJ Kid Capri and Edward Hollis, a nationally recognized Michael Jackson impersonator, according to the city.
Jackie and Marlon Jackson both acknowledged in the release how important Gary is to their family, saying that the Jackson 5 got its start in the city. Marlon Jackson called it a blessing to return and celebrate with people who knew the family before its fame.
“Coming back to 2300 Jackson Street is always deeply emotional for me,” Jackie Jackson said. “This is where it all started for the Jackson 5, and I have so many memories here. To see Gary celebrating our family’s legacy and our roots in this very neighborhood means the world to us.”
The celebration comes just about two months after a new mural of the Jackson 5 was installed in Gary. East Chicago artist Felix Maldonado painted the mural, which was sponsored by Karren and Pat Lee and Tom and Sylvia Collins.
The mural is located on the north side of the Vogue Cleaners building at 610 S. Lake St. in the city’s Miller neighborhood, according to Post-Tribune archives. The art replaces a previous one that was located on Lake Street and removed in 2018 because of deterioration.
“The Jackson family’s music helped define a generation — and it all started right here in Gary,” Maldonado said in a news release. “I wanted this new mural to feel alive, so that people can connect with the joy and pride this city feels for them. It’s not just art — it’s a celebration of legacy.”
mwilkins@chicagotribune.com
