Tamaqua's past, present and future will come to life on Aug. 4 as the Dear Tamaqua Project enters its final phase.

After collecting more than 600 letters, works of art and stories, it's time to put it all together with a public production of the good, the bad and the ugly thoughts, memories and hopes of Tamaqua's residents. Through the magic of Touchstone Productions of Bethlehem and the work of countless volunteers, the organizers of the project will showcase the responses on Aug. 4, National Night Out.But, there is still work to be done, and volunteers are needed to advance the project to that final step.A planning session will be held at 7 p.m. today at the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine St.Coordinator Leona Rega is hoping the project attracts a large number of volunteers willing to bring life to the memories and ideas shared by so many."We hope to show people a past rich with culture and prosperity, and showcase the hard work and development of the town over the past 20 years," Rega said. "We also want to instill a new hope for the future of Tamaqua, and help people feel they have a role in that and opportunity to be a part of it."To do that, she will need the help of the public."We need street performers, with or without experience and of all ages, for the final production. We also need individuals with experience or a desire to learn backstage crew roles, such as operating equipment, moving sets, rolling lighting and prop carts. That includes seamstresses, painters, carpenters and electricians," she said.Dear Tamaqua is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Tamaqua Safety Initiative, the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership and the Tamaqua Community Art Center.Earlier this month, the project earned the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit and Community Assistance Center's 2015 Arts and Culture Award. First place in this category brings recognition as the top Arts and Culture Project in the seven-county northeastern Pennsylvania region as well as a $500 donation from NCAC to support the project."The Tamaqua Community Arts Center is honored to receive this recognition from the NCAC for its Dear Tamaqua project. We want to thank NCAC for helping us to celebrate our town," said Kathy Odorizzi, Dear Tamaqua Leadership Committee member."We are pleased and excited that the Dear Tamaqua project has garnered such positive response and great support from the community, without which the project would not and could not happen."The National Night Out production, "Dear Tamaqua ... In a New Light," will partner with local businesses, churches and community groups to transform 1 mile of the borough's streets into an immersive multimedia walking experience. Along the route, audiences will experience local sights, sounds and tastes, explore the love/hate relationship Tamaqua has with itself, and be left seeing Tamaqua in a new light. Free admission into the experience will be rolling, starting at 7:30 p.m. and continuing until 8:30 p.m. The starting location will be in front of Vonz Restaurant, located at the train station in downtown Tamaqua.Anyone interested in being part of the Dear Tamaqua production is asked to attend tonight's meeting or contact Rega at 570-668-1192 or email

info@tamaquaarts.org.