By Kari Barnett
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — It’s hard to believe that a quarter century has passed since one of the most tragic days in U.S. history — Sept. 11, 2001.
Generations of Americans remember where they were that morning 25 years ago, when news broke that four hijacked commercial planes had crashed into New York’s Twin Towers, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 people.
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In the decades since, the nation has mourned those lives lost and honored the bravery of first responders and other heroes who served that day and during the many months of rescue and recovery.
This year, South Florida communities will come together to mark the special 25th anniversary with ceremonies, stair-climbing events and fitness challenges. Here’s how you can participate in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Please note: All events listed below take place on Friday, Sept. 11, unless otherwise noted.
Broward County
Coconut Creek: The 9/11 Tribute Step Challenge has three ways to participate. At the Coconut Creek Recreation Complex, 4455 Sol Press Blvd., opening remarks begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., marking the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center. Then, Coconut Creek Police and Fire Rescue will begin a commemorative stair climb equivalent to 110 floors as a tribute to the firefighters and other first responders who climbed the towers. Attendees can join a step class at 9 a.m. in the gym at the recreation complex. The city is asking everyone to share photos of their participation at home or at the gym by tagging facebook.com/coconutcreekfirerescue and instagram.com/coconutcreekpd. Free. Visit coconutcreek.gov.
Coral Springs: The city’s September 11th Ceremony will start at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Northwest Regional Library, 3151 N. University Drive. Richard Rosenblum, brother of Andrew Rosenblum who was killed at the World Trade Center, will speak. A total of 424 American flags will be displayed in honor of the firefighters, law enforcement and EMTs and paramedics who died in the line of duty. The Patriot Riders will enter in a motorcycle procession, school bands will perform, and attendees can view the interactive community flag. A moment of radio silence will be observed at 8:46 a.m. Visit the Sept. 11 permanent memorial on site, which includes a commemorative plaque and steel girder recovered from the fallen towers. Free. Visit coralsprings.gov.
Fort Lauderdale: Remembering September 11 will honor the anniversary with a commemoration starting at 11 a.m. at the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, 1 E. Las Olas Blvd. “Joel Meyerowitz: Aftermath,” 28 large-scale color photographs taken at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the attacks, is on display through February. Free admission for the ceremony and museum that day. Visit eventbrite.com.
Hollywood: The second annual Rock The Climb 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, hosted by the Firefighters Benevolent of Davie in partnership with the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, returns to The Guitar Hotel, 1 Seminole Way. The day begins with an opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m., a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., and the 110-story stair climb at 9:30 a.m. Afterward, there will be “a celebratory after-party at DAER Day & Nightclub featuring food, drinks, music, and camaraderie.” Registration is $75 in advance and $100 at the event (includes climb, after-party, finisher medal, T-shirt, food and beverage, and a challenge coin). Visit rocktheclimb.net.
Hollywood: Fire Station 31, 3401 Hollywood Blvd., will have its annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Attendees should park at the David Park Community Center, 108 N. 33rd Court. Free. Visit hollywoodfl.org.
Margate: A Patriot Day Ceremony set for 9 a.m. at Firefighters Park, 2500 N. Rock Island Road, will include a welcome from Fire Chief Roberto Lorenzo, the Firefighter’s Prayer, and a presentation from a former New York City firefighter. Free. Visit margatefl.com.
Miramar: Mayor Wayne M. Messam will lead the 9/11 & Veterans Memorial Remembrance Ceremony at 8 a.m. at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Parkway. Students from Everglades and Miramar high schools and a six-piece band from the National Guard will perform. The keynote speaker is Col. Willie Rodney of the U.S. Southern Command. The park’s 9/11 and Veterans Memorial Site features two steel columns salvaged from the Twin Towers. There will be refreshments and giveaways. Free. Visit miramarremembers2026.eventbrite.com.
Pembroke Pines: The city’s September 11th Memorial Ceremony begins with the presentation of colors by the Pembroke Pines Police and Fire Department Honor Guards at 8:30 a.m. at Memorial Park, 601 City Center Way. The event will include guest speakers, community leaders and a school chorus. Tour the park’s Sept. 11 memorial statues. Free. Watch the live feed of the ceremony fb.me/cityofpembrokepines and instagram.com/cityofppines. Visit ppines.com.
Pompano Beach: Patriotic and jazz music, live art and refreshments are part of the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Charlotte Burrie Center, 2669 N. Federal Highway. Free. Visit pompanobeachfl.gov.
Sunrise: The September 11th Remembrance Ceremony will take place at 8:30 a.m. at the Sunrise Civic Center Theatre, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd. There will be speakers, music, a memorial display and the presentation of colors. Free. Visit sunrisefl.gov.
Palm Beach County
Boca Raton: The 9/11 Memorial Ceremony and Stair Climb will be at Florida Atlantic University’s Flagler Credit Union Stadium, 777 Glades Road. The memorial service will begin at 8:15 a.m. outside of Gate 1 with FAU President Adam Hasner and other community members scheduled to speak. Then, everyone can join the stair climb challenge at 8:46 a.m. The fitness event includes a 10-round, 2,050-step climb, which symbolizes the 110 floors first responders walked up in the Twin Towers. Free. Visit facebook.com/FAUPolice to register for the climb.
Boynton Beach: The city’s 9/11 25th Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony will be at 8 a.m. at Centennial Park and Amphitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave. Free. Visit boynton-beach.org.
Wellington: The village is partnering with the Fire Chief’s Association of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for a September 11th Remembrance Ceremony, which starts at 8:46 a.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater, 12100 Forest Hill Blvd. Lt. Col. Todd Beer, an Air Force One pilot who transported President George W. Bush on 9/11, will give the keynote address. The laying of a memorial wreath will take place next to the amphitheater at the Patriot Memorial, which includes a large steel beam from the World Trade Center, an eternal flame fountain and etched glass panels inscribed with victims’ names. Free. Visit wellingtonfl.gov.
West Palm Beach: Hosted by the West Palm Beach Fire Department, the eighth annual 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb and 5K Run will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Northbridge Tower, 515 N. Flagler Drive. Participation is open for the 5K Run (other events, including the 110-story stair climb and the Bill Bone Hero Challenge, are sold out). Tickets are $65. All proceeds benefit POST (Pediatric Oncology Support Team) and Operation 300, which supports Gold Star families. Visit wpb911stairclimb.com.
Westlake: The first 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony put on by the 9/11 Remembrance & First Responder Group will take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at The Lodge, 5490 Kingfisher Blvd. The group, which is founded and led by Westlake resident Bobby Farber, encourages donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation . Free.
Westlake: The third annual Westlake 5K Remembering 9/11, which supports the Tunnel to Towers Foundation , begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 , on the corner of Persimmon Boulevard and Ilex Way. Runners and walkers are welcome. Participants receive a race bib, T-shirt and finisher medal. Awards will be presented to the top three overall finishers and winners across age groups. Cost is $45. Visit runsignup.com.
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