On Monday, fans gathered at Paisley Park in Chanhassen, Minnesota, to commemorate the ninth anniversary of music legend Prince’s death. This event, named “A Day 2 Remember | A Night 2 Reflect,” invited attendees to engage in activities celebrating the life and artistry of the musician.

Event Highlights

The day’s festivities commenced at 10 a.m. with an invitation to the public to create origami doves and leave personalized messages for Prince. The event held a special moment of reflection at 4:21 p.m., the precise time Prince was discovered dead in his home on April 21, 2016. This candle-lighting ceremony was also streamed live for those unable to attend in person.

Later that evening, Paisley Park, now functioning as a museum celebrating Prince’s legacy, screened a concert from 2011, allowing fans to relive the magic of his live performances.

Reflections from Fans

Attendees shared their thoughts on Prince’s enduring impact. Dorothy-Inez, a devoted fan since 1978 who relocated to Minneapolis because of Prince, recalled her first experience waiting in line to see Purple Rain in 1984, which she watched 55 times. Danielle Gaskins, who has attended 69 live performances, expressed a shift in her feelings towards Prince’s legacy, noting, “Around the seventh year of his passing, I kind of felt like this transition from mourning to just remembrance and celebration.”

A Lasting Legacy

Fans have consistently described Prince as a unique and unparalleled artist. “He told us that, in his music, there will never be another. There will never be another like me,” stated Dorothy-Inez, citing Prince’s conviction about his distinct contribution to music. She likened him to classical greats, calling him “the Mozart of our day.”

In tribute to their beloved artist, musicians who collaborated with Prince gathered in nearby Hopkins over the weekend to pay their respects, with Dr. Fink, a longtime collaborator, reflecting on the years since Prince’s passing: “It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years since he left.”

Honoring Prince’s Music

As a further tribute, Minnesota lawmakers have put forward a proposal for Prince’s iconic song, “Purple Rain,” to be designated as one of the official songs of the state. Prince, a native of Minneapolis, passed away at the age of 57 due to a fentanyl overdose, leaving behind a legacy that continues to resonate with fans around the world.