Immediately following the services an Alabama tribute band, Tennessee River, will take to the stage for a free concert as the many first responders and honored guests alike greet the crowds.  Food and drink will be available

Ironically, in 2001, the fair was scheduled to open on Sept. 11 and was one of a handful of western fairs that had to be postponed because of the World Trade Center attacks.  The fair did open two days later and became an important part of the healing process for area residents.

“It’s a free event, and we want it to be inspirational and heart-warming,” said Fair Manager Michael Bethke. “Whatever else you’re doing on Sept. 11, we urge you to come out and share in this tribute.”

Bethke said he came up with the idea to include a 9-11 commemoration after noting that the day this year falls on a Sunday, right before the opening of the fair which runs from Sept. 13 through 18.

“I thought, why not include a memorial on 9-11,” he said.  “I asked fire and police officials if they were planning something.  They were ecstatic about the idea.”  Bethke said he hopes to fill the speedway grandstand.

Sponsors of the memorial service include AMR Ambulance, First Alarm Security and Ocean Speedway.

“I’ve been working with first responders including Santa Cruz County fire and police chiefs, Red Cross and Salvation Army officials,” he noted.  “We want to commemorate all the brave souls who died, almost 3,000 of them.”

An invocation from a local minister will be followed by testimonials from actual 9-11 survivors.

“One got out of the World Trade Center Tower just before it collapsed,” Bethke added.

The commemoration will also feature artists and musicians who will present their works and songs in tribute to the fallen. In addition, a Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard will perform a 21-gun salute, and the event will conclude with a formation of civilian aircraft doing a fly-over.

Afterwards, audience members will be invited down onto the field to meet with emergency responders and each person will be given a small American flag with the name of someone who died in the 9-11 attacks.  The flags will be placed into sand in the base of a portable memorial exhibit under a replica of the American flag that flew at the Trade Center.  The exhibit will be on display during the run of the fair.

“When we can come together in tribute as a community and a country, then it makes us stronger,” Bethke said.