POULSBO — The North Kitsap High School Marching Band kicked off the fourth annual Poulsbo Americana Music Festival Saturday with patriotic music, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The festival, at Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park, started at noon and continued until 7 p.m. with performances by the Buz Whitley Big Band, Kitsap Chordsmen, Those Guys, Shark Sandwich, and Soul Siren. Profits from the event are planned to be shared with North Kitsap Fishline, a non-profit which provides food and services for those with low or no income.
More events are planned this weekend in remembrance of the victims and heroes of 9/11.
SUNDAY
North Kitsap Fire & Rescue Community Breakfast: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Paul T. Nichol headquarters station, 26642 Miller Bay Road, Kingston. Attendees can savor light continental fare such as cheeses, fruit, meats, pastries and yogurt, while enjoying the company of firefighters and community. There will be a brief ceremony at 8:45 a.m., symbolizing the time that the first plane hit the first tower, and will include a flag presentation by members of Cub Scout Pack 4555 in honor of those who were lost in the attacks.
There is no charge for the meal, provided by NKF&R’s firefighters and the Suquamish Clearwater Casino, but donations will be accepted to benefit two charities:
— Tuesday’s Children (www.tuesdayschildren.org), established in 2001 with the goal of promoting healing and recovery for the more than 3,000 children who lost parents in the attacks. Since then, the organization has broadened its mission to include those impacted by terrorist events worldwide.
— Snowball Express (www.snowballexpress.org), whose mission is to create hope and new memories for the children of our fallen military heroes who have died while serving our country since 9/11.
A large turnout is expected for the event, and officials encourage carpooling.
9/11 Memorial at Christian Life Center: All first responders (active and retired) and public safety partners are invited to be in attendance for this gathering to honor first responders in memory of those who gave their lives on 9/11, those who were serving at that time and those who are presently serving our community. Two memorials will be conducted at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at 1780 Lincoln Ave., Port Orchard.
Kitsap 9/11 Memorial Events: The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with a processional of the steel beams from the World Trade Center. Processional starts at Central Kitsap Fire Department, 5300 NW Newberry Hill Road, Silverdale; and ends at Evergreen Park, 1400 Park Ave., Bremerton. More than 100 motorcycles are expected to accompany the steel beams.
From 10 a.m. to noon, the beams will be on display for people to pay their respects.
At noon, the memorial ceremony will begin. The ceremony includes music from Navy Band Northwest, Pierce County Firefighters Pipes and Drums, and local musicians. Honorary speakers include Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent; Rear Adm. Douglass T. Biesel, commander, Navy Region Northwest; and Capt. Stephen E. Iwanowicz, commander, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport.
At 12:12 p.m. there will be a fly-over from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
The official groundbreaking for the 9/11 Memorial will take place immediately following the memorial ceremony. Also following the ceremony, a Celebration of Freedom will take place in the north area of the park, and will include children’s activities, food and music.
Active-duty personnel in dress uniform are invited to participate in the ceremony by following the color guard for presentation of the colors and the National Anthem. Gather at the southern covered picnic structure at the park between 10:30-11 a.m. prior to the ceremony.
The day will conclude with a special Colors at Sunset flag ceremony, 6:30 p.m. near the World War I Memorial with bugle, cannon firing and the National Anthem. The closing ceremony honors our country, flag and those who perished as a result of the 9/11 attack.
The committee is expecting 3,000 to 5,000 people at the event. Park in the garages and lots in downtown Bremerton or at Olympic College. Handicap parking will be available on Sheldon Street near Evergreen-Rotary Park.
Freedom Walk: 10 a.m. beginning at 19540 Front St., Poulsbo. This event is sponsored by Poulsbo American Legion Post 245 and the City of Poulsbo.
In addition to honoring the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, this is an opportunity to reflect and pay tribute to all first responders and those serving in the military. The walk includes remarks from invited guests, a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem.
The half-mile walk will wind through the business districts on Jensen Way and Front Street, and finish at American Legion Park at 19167 Front St.
The 9/11 Decade — Legacy and Challenge: 10 a.m. at The Island School, 8553 NE Day Road, Bainbridge. Two local ministers who were serving near Washington, D.C. on 9/11 will reflect on the inspiring spirit which emerged immediately following that day’s attacks, amid great grief and a national sense of our strengths and vulnerabilities.
Revs. Barbara and Jaco ten Hove lead Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church. Info: www. cedarsuuchurch.org.
Mozart Requiem to commemorate 9/11: 3 p.m. at Island Church, 9624 Sportsman Club Road NE, Bainbridge.
On Sept. 11, 2002, the Bainbridge Chorale performed Mozart’s classic Requiem Mass in D minor as part of the Rolling Requiem, in which choirs around the world sang the Requiem on the same day to commemorate the first anniversary of the events of 9/11.
This year, in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the Chorale is again hosting a performance of the Mozart Requiem.
Chorale members will be joined by singers from several island church choirs, the Bainbridge Men’s Compline Choir, Schola Nova of Bainbridge, and Seattle Symphony Chorale as well as an exchange student from Germany. The orchestra members are from the Olympic Peninsula, ranging from the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra to the Port Townsend Community Orchestra and the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra.
All have volunteered their time to be part of this solemn event in remembrance of those who lost their lives, of the survivors, and of the firefighters who sacrificed their lives.
At the performance, members of the Bainbridge Island Fire Department will have a place of honor as representatives of the firefighters who gave their lives to save others in the aftermath of the attacks.
As they did in 2002, each performer will wear a heart badge inscribed with the name of one person whose life was lost on 9/11, as a reminder that those who died that day will never be forgotten.
Suggested donation: $10 for adults; children and students, $5. Bring a non-perishable food item for Helpline House.
Schola Nova Evensong of Prayer: 6 p.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 1187 Wyatt Way NW, Bainbridge Island. The women’s choir will lead an evening of remembrance.
KITSAP REGIONAL LIBRARY EVENTS
Bainbridge Island branch: The branch plans to put up a simple display with a white rose in a vase, accompanied by a sign of remembrance.
Poulsbo branch: The Poulsbo Branch will have books and films on 9/11 and its aftermath, available for the public to peruse and checkout.
Visitors to the library can write entries into a special book responding to the following questions:
“Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001 when the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. took place?”
“How did these events impact you?”
Sylvan Way branch: The Sylvan Way branch will display firefighters’ gear and a table with cut-out red, white and blue stars on which people can write their thoughts about 9/11. Those stars will be put up on the entry wall of the branch.
Near the reference desk, computer monitors will show a live feed from the 9/11 memorial site and information about the new memorial. Also part of the display will be a memorial list of names, photos of heroes of 9/11, and a list of other activities and projects that people can participate in during the month of September. The library is attempting to create a living history written by patrons about that day in history.