Tamaqua's second annual National Night Out celebration, to be held Aug. 5, is shaping up to be a night for more than just taking back the streets from the criminals.

Last year's event drew between 400 and 450 visitors who had the opportunity to discover various aspects of crime prevention and community safety.Organizers are looking to attract a larger crowd as one of the activities is a Kidz Karnival, sponsored by the Tamaqua Salvation Army. The children's' event will be held at the North Railroad Street parking lot from 2 to 9 p.m.Tamaqua Fire Police will provide help with pedestrians traveling from the carnival to the 100 block of Pine Street, where the bulk of activities will take place. Stations will also be set up on Mauch Chunk Street.Organizer Leona Rega of the Tamaqua Safety Initiative notes that 20 groups will set up tables or booths to provide information to the community.In addition to the Salvation Army, participants will include:The Tamaqua Girls/Boy Scouts, Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, Tamaqua Police Department, members of the DARE Program, Schuylkill County District Attorney Christie Holman, Tamaqua Community Crime Watch.Tamaqua Youth Ministries, St. Luke's Hospital, Barry Isett & Associates, Citizens Fire Company, American Hose Company, Majestic House Apartments, LOL Youth Writers group and more.The activities on Pine and Mauch Chunk streets will begin at 6 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Original Sounds.Created in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, the program started by asking people to turn on their porch lights to let criminals know neighborhoods had organized and were fighting to take back their streets.It quickly turned into more than just a front porch vigil. From 400 communities in 23 states, National Night Out has grown into a celebration in almost 17,000 communities across all 50 states, as well as U.S. territories, Canada and U.S. military bases worldwide.Participants no longer just sit on the porch with their lights on. Communities now promote crime prevention involvement with block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars in an effort to heighten awareness and enhance community relations.