Prince fans turn Minneapolis into sea of purple to honor the late singer

MINNEAPOLIS (NBC, KYMA) - Thousands turned Downtown Minneapolis into a sea of purple Saturday, honoring hometown music legend Prince a decade after his passing, and just one day before what would have been his 68th birthday.

Music from the iconic artist echoed through the streets as fans gathered for a day of remembrance, celebration, and connection.

The songs of an icon permeated through the streets of Downtown Minneapolis.

"I'm watching the people smile, and I'm watching the unity, and I'm watching the sense of community," said Virginia Scott, a Prince fan from Dayton, Ohio.

Prince's dearly beloved fans coming from across the country and around the world to celebrate him 10 years since his passing and one day before what would have been his 68th birthday.

One would be hard pressed to find a bigger prince fan than James Gatewood.

"I was born and raised in Los Angeles, but I came to Minneapolis because of Prince," Gatewood shared.

Gatewood says Prince did more than just inspire him. He saved his life.

"Because of him I'm alive today. He helped me through my addiction, which is I've been 12 years sober," Gatewood explained.

Saturday's block party was highlighted by a two-hour Prince sing along, featuring a 100-person volunteer choir.

"I think that he set the tone for the kind of artistic quality that we have in Minneapolis. He certainly influenced the esthetic of our city," said Ben Johnson, Director of the Arts & Cultural Affairs Department for the City of Minneapolis.

"It's an inspiration to me and everyone else to celebrate Prince's legacy," Gatewood added.

A star who gave so much to this city still shining bright 10 years later.

"He was true to himself. So I think that authentic self and the love that he had, and especially right now, during this time that we are going through, just in the world, I believe that that love is just speaking through all of us," Scott expressed.