A block party celebrating one of the biggest families in entertainment is on tap for Indiana.
The City of Gary will host the “2300 Jackson Street Block Party” August 29-30, honoring the Jackson family, including Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson and the Jackson 5.
Comedian and actor Chris Tucker and Grammy-winning Gary native Deniece Williams will host, while DJ Kid Capri performs at the free event that will feature food trucks, vendors and a kids play zone.
The festivities will take place from noon to 7 p.m. each day.
The August 29 celebration will focus on Michael Jackson on his birthday. On August 30, the entire Jackson family will be honored.
Michael Jackson/Jackson 5 block party location
Though named for the childhood home of the nine musical children of Joe and Katherine Jackson, the Jacksons block party will take place at Roosevelt High School, 730 W. 25th Ave.
The now-closed school is where, in 1966, the Jackson 5 won its first talent show.
Which Jacksons will appear at the 2025 Jackson festival?
Jackie and Marlon Jackson will be honored guests at the event.
Brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael Jackson formed the Jackson 5 in Gary and had four consecutive number-one Billboard Hot 100 hits from their 1969 Motown debut album (“I Want You Back,” “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” “I’ll Be There”).
After Jermaine left the group in 1976, their youngest brother, Randy, stepped in, and the band was renamed the Jacksons (“Blame It on the Boogie,” “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)”).
The Jackson 5 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Michael Jackson, who died in 2009, was inducted as a solo artist in 2001, and their sister Janet Jackson was inducted in 2019.
Sisters Rebbie and La Toya also recorded albums that yielded hit singles.
Jackson festival performers
August 29
August 30
For information, visit gary.gov.
Contact Midwest Connect reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cjackson@gannett.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Star-led festival to honor Michael Jackson and Jackson family in Gary. Brothers attending
Reporting by Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
