The Times of Munster reports that revelers swayed to Jackson’s songs during Saturday night’s tribute. Poets, local singers and dancers also entertained the crowd. Mayor Rudy Clay welcomed visitors to the event and proclaimed the city will not stop celebrating Jackson’s memory.

Jackson died on June 25, 2009, of an overdose of sedatives at the age of 50, just before he was to begin a comeback tour.

Thirty-year-old Marshall Bingaman of Kansas City, Mo., says he made a nine-hour drive to Gary to pay tribute to Jackson’s life. Bingaman says events like Saturday’s memorial help keep Jackson’s memory alive.