Communities across Tallahassee, Leon and Wakulla counties and Thomasville will gather Friday to remember the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, with ceremonies beginning early in the morning and continuing throughout the day.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Twenty-five years after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks changed America, communities across the Big Bend and South Georgia will come together Friday to make sure the lives lost — and the sacrifices that followed — are never forgotten.

From moments of silence and the ringing of a historic church bell to firefighters climbing stadium steps in honor of fallen first responders, Sept. 11, 2026, will bring a series of commemorations across the region marking a quarter-century since the attacks.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside Washington, while another crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Here are some of the events planned across the region.

Leon County memorial begins at 8:30 a.m.

Leon County’s official commemoration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Capital City 9/11 Memorial, 1115 Easterwood Drive in Tallahassee.

The ceremony will include the national anthem and a flyover involving the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare.

At 8:46 a.m., those gathered will observe a moment of silence marking the time the first hijacked plane, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower.

The ceremony provides a local setting for residents, first responders and public officials to remember the victims and recognize those who responded to the attacks.

Wakulla County holds memorial at sheriff’s office

Wakulla County will also begin its remembrance at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

The memorial service will be held at the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office near the flagpole, bringing the community together to honor those killed and the first responders who ran toward danger that morning.

Thomasville firefighters take on memorial stair climb

Across the state line, Thomasville Fire Rescue and the International Association of Fire Fighters are inviting the community to participate in the 2026 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the Thomas County Jackets Nest Football Stadium.

The climb carries particular significance for firefighters.

Of the thousands of people killed in the attacks, 343 members of the New York City Fire Department died responding to the World Trade Center.

Participants in memorial stair climbs traditionally retrace the physical challenge those firefighters faced as they climbed the towers carrying heavy equipment while thousands of people were attempting to escape.

Thomasville Fire Rescue says Friday’s event is intended to honor and remember the lives lost during the attacks on their 25th anniversary.

Participants can preregister through the Thomasville YMCA.

Historic bell to ring in downtown Tallahassee

At 10 a.m., First Presbyterian Church will hold a remembrance ceremony in its courtyard at 110 N. Adams St.

The gathering will include reflection, prayer and the ringing of the church’s historic bell.

The ceremony will also be streamed on YouTube for people unable to attend in person.

Five trips up Florida Capitol

Also beginning at 10 a.m., participants will take on another physical tribute at the Florida Capitol.

The Capitol Stair Climb, hosted by Tallahassee Ruck Crew, will begin on the Adams Street side of the Capitol at 400 S. Monroe St.

Participants will make five trips up and down the Capitol’s 22 flights of stairs, turning one of Tallahassee’s most recognizable buildings into a place of remembrance.

Noon remembrance at Mission BBQ

At noon, Mission BBQ at 216 Magnolia Drive will host its Never Forget 9/11 Remembrance Event.

The gathering will include the national anthem and a remembrance ceremony honoring the victims and first responders.

All-day 9/11 challenge

For people looking to commemorate the anniversary through a physical challenge, Premier Health & Fitness Center at 3121 Maclay Blvd. will hold its 9/11 Challenges from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Participants can walk or climb the equivalent height of the World Trade Center towers.

Remembrance continues Saturday through service

The commemorations will continue beyond Friday.

The Tallahassee National Cemetery, 5015 Apalachee Parkway, will host a National Day of Service from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.

The service event extends the anniversary’s focus beyond remembering what happened on Sept. 11 to honoring the spirit of service that followed the attacks.