FAIRHOPE, Ala. — A celebration to remember the victims of 9/11 will include a sunset release of 403 glowing lanterns from the Fairhope pier.

“It’s a chance for us to honor all the victims of 9/11 but especially the 403 police officers and firefighters who gave their lives,” said city spokesperson Sherry Sullivan. “It should be a memorable tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice 10 years ago.”

The event will start at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Fairhope Municipal Pier Rose Garden and will be hosted by the city of Fairhope and Love Fairhope, a group of local churches.

The event, titled Remembering 9/11, will honor the 10th anniversary of the attack but will also pay special tribute to the 403 police officers and firefighters who died in the attacks.

“It’s also a way for us to honor all our local police officers and firefighters for their service and what they mean each day to our community,” Sullivan said.

The celebration will also include various prayers and song. Fairhope Boy Scout Troop 47 will be on hand to present the colors as well as a representative of the Fairhope Police Department and the Fairhope Volunteer Fire Department.

Love Fairhope is a group of Fairhope churches that have joined together to help meet the needs of the city and its residents through events and community service. Churches involved in the 9/11 event include Fairhope First Baptist Church, Fairhope United Methodist Church, Eastern Shore Presbyterian Church, the Dwelling Place and Trinity Presbyterian Church.

The Boy Scouts will also celebrate the anniversary of 9/11 by handing out 403 flags at 8:46 a.m., at two locations: the intersections of Fairhope Avenue and U.S. Highway 98 and Morphy Avenue and South Section Street. The time is significant because the first tower was hit on Sept. 11, 2001 at 7:46 a.m., Eastern Time.

The public is invited to attend the event this Sunday and are encouraged to bring chairs. The program should last about 30 minutes with the wishing lanterns being released at sunset.

“We hope at least 403 people come to the event so that each lantern can be released individually by one person in attendance,” Sullivan said.

For more information, call 251-929-1466.