Paris Jackson, daughter of the late pop singer Michael Jackson, signs autographs for fans gathered outside the singer’s boyhood home at 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Ind.,. Wednesday, August 29, 2012. Michael Jackson would have turned 54 on Wednesday.

Since the evening of June 25, 2009, the day pop singer Michael Jackson passed away, I have lost count of the number of times I’ve journeyed to 2300 Jackson Street in Gary, Indiana, to document events at the singer’s boyhood home. Some of them were held to commemorate the day of his passing, while others (as with today’s) celebrated the day of his birth.

Today’s event was unique compared to others I’ve covered due to the presence of Jackson’s three children (Paris, Prince, and Blanket), who worked the crowd with their aunt La Toya, signing autographs and shaking hands. They were received by enthusiastic fans from all over the United States and beyond (one woman I spoke with journeyed from Amsterdam) who came to Gary specifically to celebrate The King of Pop.

Friends and family members of the late pop singer Michael Jackson gather on the lawn of his boyhood home in Gary.

Fans vie for the attention of Prince Jackson, son of the late pop singer Michael Jackson.

Prince Jackson, son of the late pop singer Michael Jackson, signs autographs outside his father’s boyhood home in Gary.

Fans hold a painting of the late pop singer Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson impersonator Carlo Riley of Denver, Colorado, poses outside the late pop singer’s boyhood home in Gary.

A street sign outside the Jackson home bears three years of visitors’ signatures from around the world.

Michael Jackson’s son Blanket is whisked away by security after an autograph session.

La Toya Jackson, sister of the late pop singer Michael Jackson, greets the crowd gathered outside her childhood home in Gary.

Fans wait along a line of barricades outside the late pop singer Michael Jackson’s boyhood home in Gary.

Seven-year-old Chelsie Smith of Indianapolis shows the autographs she received on her hands from Paris Jackson, daughter of the late pop singer Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson fans wrap up a night of celebration with a candlelight vigil outside the singer’s boyhood home in Gary.