Vigils, Concerts And More: How To Commemorate 9/11 In Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, NY — At gatherings around the five boroughs on Saturday, New Yorkers will mark a solemn occasion: the 20th anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 that took nearly 3,000 lives.

In Brooklyn, the anniversary will be marked with a series of concerts, vigils and other reflective opportunities throughout the borough.

The local events will be addition to the most prominent event — the annual ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, in which the name of each victim will be read aloud. That memorial will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. — the moment the first plane struck the World Trade Center's north tower.

It will run through about 1 p.m., with a visit from President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expected at some point during the day.

In Brooklyn, events will largely take place later in the day, including concerts at the historic Green-Wood Cemetery and two evening vigils.

Here's an incomplete list of some of the ways the borough will honor the day:

Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery

A series of 45-minute performances of original compositions by Mississippi-born and NYC-based composer Buck McDaniel will be held on Battle Hill. They will take place at 12, 1 and 2 p.m.

The location of the performances —Battle Hill—offers sweeping views of lower Manhattan and the site where the Twin Towers once stood. Seventy-eight victims of 9/11 are interred, were cremated, or have been memorialized at Green-Wood.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The gardens will offer complimentary admission to serve as a place of peace and reflection for the community. There are two collections in remembrance of September 11: Along the eastern and western edges of Cherry Esplanade are allées of scarlet oak trees, the Liberty Oaks, planted in remembrance of the events of that day and those who lost their lives. The Tree Peony Collection that blooms in the spring was presented to the Garden in 2002 by the Japanese town of Yatsuka-Cho in Shimane Prefecture to "bring peace of mind to the people of the United States.”

Community Vigils

Lawmakers in southern Brooklyn will host two community vigils on Saturday to commemorate the anniversary. They are put on with the help of State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Member Jaime William, Assembly Member Helene Weinstein, Council Member Alan Maisel and Council Member Justin Brannan.

The first vigil will take place at 5 p.m. in Marine Park in front of the Carmine Carro Community Center. The entrance is at Fillmore Ave and Marine Parkway.

The second vigil will be at 7:00 p.m. in Bay Ridge at the American Veterans Memorial Pier on Bay Ridge Avenue and Shore Road.