This year’s Forsyth Family Fest will take place on Sunday, the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The third annual event — featuring music, worship and activities for the community — will also commemorate the tragic day in American history.

At the free event, several talented performers and speakers will bring together the event’s theme: "Celebrate hope. Remember 9/11."

First Baptist Cumming Pastor Bob Jolly, a lead organizer of the event, said the fest will provide a forum to reflect on the events of 10 years ago and appreciate the great qualities of the nation.

"Even though this is remembering 9/11 … We’re also celebrating the hope we have here in Forsyth County," Jolly said.

The day will begin with local churches coming together for morning worship, led by evangelist Tony Nolan.

Throughout the afternoon, food and fun will fill the Cumming Fairgrounds, including special areas for children and for teens.

The community can also view the 9/11 museum, featuring artistic representations and multimedia from the 2001 event.

Several local acts will contribute throughout the day to that sense of community the fest strives to provide, Jolly said.

Combined county high school bands, chorus and drumlines will perform, as will the North Georgia College & State University Patriot Choir.

West Forsyth High School student and rising musician Riley Biederer will take the stage during the concert portion.

Award-winning Southern soul singer and Forsyth Central High School graduate Chris Cauley rounds out the local stars.

"This is Forsyth County and we really want to highlight the talent we have here," Jolly said.

Regional and national entertainers will also make appearances.

Atlanta radio personality Cadillac Jack will serve as master of ceremonies.

"America’s Tenor" Steve Amerson, who has graced the stage of Carnegie Hall and provided vocals for more than 150 feature films, is scheduled to sing.

In addition, the event will honor some of the county and city public safety personnel during the community patriotic celebration.

"We’re making a big deal about saying thank you to firemen, policemen, sheriff’s and emergency medical personnel in our community who are trained, standing by and ready to serve us in any kind of emergency," Jolly said.

The Forsyth County Fire Department Honor Guard will help lead the 9/11 ceremony.

A recent addition to the day’s lineup, a military P-3 plane will pass over the fairgrounds on its return trip from flying over Ground Zero that morning, Jolly said.

The flyover was a last-minute, yet much-anticipated, addition.

"Not only are we celebrating our community, but we’ve got a military standing by to protect us," he said. "This is a way also to remember our military personnel who’ve been involved in protecting us."