Citing five sources “familiar with the planning process,” the Los Angeles Times reports a memorial service could be held at Staples on Tuesday, but cautions that the Jackson family has yet to green-light the event that could draw multitudes of fans to the sports arena.
However, several media sources are reporting the memorial is nailed down. Entertainment Tonight Online even has a start time – 10:00 a.m.
Memorial service rumors have been circulating all week, and were focusing on a July 3 tribute at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. In fact, media reports about a Neverland tribute were so numerous, that county officials had already started planning for such an event despite no official word from Jackson’s family. However, the family denied the rumors on July 1.
According to the Times, financing a memorial service at Staples would probably be costly. For example, security and crowd control for the Lakers’ victory parade cost $2 million.
If there is a Tuesday service at Staples, something is going to have to be done about the elephants. That’s right. Pachyderms. The Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus is scheduled to take over Staples starting July 8. The traditional circus parade through downtown to the arena – including the always-popular elephant walk – is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
The Times also reports the family is not considering burying the King of Pop at Neverland. Earlier this week a Santa Barbara County attorney said the process to obtain permission for a burial on private land could take weeks. However, now that same attorney says the county is willing to fast-track the application process.
To read the articles in the Los Angeles Times, please click here and here.
Click here to read the entire Entertainment Tonight Online article.