9/11 World Trade Center Beam Escorted

Alameda County first responders escorted steel salvaged from the World Trade Center to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton on Thursday, where officials held a closed ceremony ahead of a new 9/11 memorial exhibit. The Alameda County Fair said the installation marks 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and includes original beam sections recovered from the Twin Towers. (kron4.com) KRON4 reported that three helicopters landed at the fairgrounds as the ceremony began, followed by a large procession of police officers and first responders. The exhibit, titled “Rising Together,” is scheduled to run from June 19 through July 12 during the 2026 fair. (annual.alamedacountyfair.com) ### What arrived in Pleasanton on Thursday? A steel beam salvaged from the World Trade Center arrived at the Alameda County Fairgrounds by motorcade on May 21, according to KTVU and KRON4. The procession brought the artifact to Pleasanton for a ceremony tied to the fair’s new memorial installation. The Alameda County Fair said the 2026 exhibit will feature original steel beam sections recovered after the collapse of the Twin Towers. Fair organizers said the display is intended to mark the 25th year since the attacks. ### Who took part in the ceremony? Three helicopters touched down at the fairgrounds as the ceremony got underway, KRON4 reported. (kron4.com) Police officers, first responders, fairgrounds staff and local officials then gathered for the event in Pleasanton. Alameda County Fire Chief William McDonald and Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez spoke during the ceremony, according to KRON4. (ktvu.com) McDonald said, “May this remembrance remind us never to forget and always to honor those who gave everything in service to others,” while Sanchez said Sept. 11 “tested our nation in ways that we never experienced before.” (annual.alamedacountyfair.com) ### What is included in the memorial display? The Alameda County Fair said the installation will include original World Trade Center steel and a Survivor Tree tribute. The tribute is modeled on the Callery pear tree found in the rubble at Ground Zero, removed for care and later returned to the World Trade Center site, according to the fair’s exhibit page. (kron4.com) The fair said visitors will be invited to write a wish, message or promise for the future as part of the exhibit. Organizers said the display honors nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks, along with families and first responders affected by the events of Sept. 11. (kron4.com) ### Why is the fair mounting the exhibit this year? The 2026 Alameda County Fair is presenting the memorial in the year that marks 25 years since Sept. 11, 2001, according to the fair and local television reports. KRON4 reported that fairgrounds Executive Officer Jermone Hoban told attendees the attacks claimed more than 3,000 lives from 93 nations and permanently altered daily life in the United States. (annual.alamedacountyfair.com) The fair’s memorial page says the exhibit is new for 2026. KTVU said the installation is part of the fair’s programming from June 19 through July 12. ### When can the public see it? (annual.alamedacountyfair.com) June 19 is the opening date listed for the “Rising Together” memorial display at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. KRON4 reported the installation will remain in place through July 12, and the fair’s website says the exhibit will be part of the 2026 fair in Pleasanton. The Alameda County Fairgrounds says the site hosts the annual fair in Pleasanton, off Interstate 680 and Interstate 580. (kron4.com) The 9/11 memorial exhibit is scheduled to be available to fairgoers during that run, with the Survivor Tree tribute included as part of the installation. (alamedacountyfair.com) (ktvu.com)