The “favourite son” of American town Gary, Indiana, is set to be honoured with a special birthday party this weekend – despite the fact that he’s no longer alive. The subject of the celebration? Late pop star Michael Jackson.

The much missed “Billie Jean” singer, who died on Saturday 25 June 2009 after suffering from cardiac arrest from an accidental overdose of painkillers, grew up in the small town, and now the city will hold a celebration outside his childhood home this weekend to mark what would have been his 52nd birthday.

“The passing of our favourite son, Michael Jackson, is still fresh in our hearts,” Mayor Rudy Clay announced to media yesterday. “A year later, on the day before his birthday, we honour his memory as a great and giving person and as the world’s greatest entertainer.”

The party is just one of the attractions at a four-day long tribute to Jackson, the bash set to be attended by his estranged father, Joe Jackson. Also taking place is a tribute concert, which will feature Jackson impersonators as well as musicians from his touring party, and a Jackson-inspired stage production titled “Yesterday, Today & Forever”.

Earlier this year the singer’s mother, Katherine Jackson, honoured her son by unveiling an almost three metre high granite statue, erected in the city, while the “Jackson Family Foundation” are planning on building a museum, golf course and arts foundation to the star in the town. The family left Gary for Hollywood back in 1969.