The 911 Observance and Day of Service and Remembrance Ceremony will be held Friday, September 11. The ceremony begins at 8 a.m., 911 observance starts at 8:45 a.m. and the processional through downtown to the City County Building begins at 9:03 a.m.

The program will begin on the Market Square Stage and the processional, led by a horse drawn fire engine, will travel from there through downtown to the 911 Memorial on the City County Building lawn where it will conclude.

Family members of Knox County residents who died in the 911 attacks, Vice Mayor Bob Becker, Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale and Scripps Networks President John Lansing, the 2009 United Way Campaign Chair, will take part in the program.

Friday's ceremony will open with recognition of Knox County's Operation Red, White and Blue program of community service projects as well as recognition of law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical professionals.

It will be followed by the kickoff of the 2009 United Way Campaign and the ceremony will close with an observance of the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

The City of Knoxville, Knox County and the United Way of Greater Knoxville are hosting the event. September 11 is federally recognized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance.