Four years ago, Tamaqua's foray into the National Night Out event involved a lot of static displays and information sharing designed to improve community involvement. It has grown each year, adding a Kidz Karnival for the younger set, attracting hundreds of people.

Last year's event was an interactive, mile-long tribute to the borough and its citizens as the Dear Tamaqua Project took center stage.While this year's event will not take up a mile of real estate, Dear Tamaqua will still play an important role, evolving into the Tamaqua Has Heart project.Scheduled for 6 to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Tamaqua's National Night Out will be held in the center of the community, at Depot Square Park and the area surrounding the Tamaqua Train Station. The Kidz Karnival, sponsored by the Tamaqua Salvation Army, will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. at the North Railroad Street Parking lot. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display.Participants will get a sneak peek at the Tamaqua Has Heart Campaign with the unveiling of the first fiberglass heart. The public will have the opportunity to decorate the white, three-dimensional heart with their individual handprints. The heart will then be placed on permanent display in the borough as a symbol of how the community works together. The new campaign grew out of the Dear Tamaqua project and is seen as "the next step in continuing positive community dialogue with tangible changes," according to NNO organizer and Tamaqua Community Art Center Coordinator Leona Rega.Rega sees NNO as a "night where the community brings together many available resources and information to one place, in a fun environment, encouraging interaction with law enforcement and connecting with volunteer opportunities. Many times we are looking for important information on where or how to get help for ourselves or a family member. Everything from reporting crime, help for our seniors, our children, drugs and alcohol, recreation and simply positive outlets for our energy. We encourage all residents to join us for this fun evening focused around safe neighborhoods and streets."Music and entertainment will be provided by Original Sounds Entertainment - DJs, Brad and Kathy Murphy. Many community groups will host activities and offer free gifts such as hot dogs, drinks, flashlights, glow sticks, stress balls, snow cones, popcorn, kids tattoos, freeze-pops, balloons and more.Participating groups include: Tamaqua Police, District Attorney Christine Holman, Tamaqua Rescue Squad, Tamaqua Ambulance, American Hose and Citizens Fire Companies, Arcadia Nursing, ADT Security, Barry Isett & Associates, Green Dot program/SARCC, the Hazelton Community Church mission teams led by Steve and Joy Gintz, The Independent Order of Odd Fellows/Rebecca's, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Boy Scouts, Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, Shafer's Pharmacy, STEP-UP Tamaqua (focusing on support, treatment, enforcement. prevention for drug related issues), St. Luke's Hospital, The Link ... Make the Connection ... for suicide awareness and prevention in Carbon and Schuylkill counties, Toms Auto & Marine Shop with the Pennsylvania Boat and Game Commission and others. Strolling actors from the Tamaqua Community Theatre will provide entertainment in the streets. The Majestic House will be offering activities and games for their residents within the building.First celebrated in 1984, National Night Out was started in an effort to increase awareness about community police programs, such as drug prevention, town watch, neighborhood watch, and other anti-crime efforts.Today, more than 38 million people across the United States and Canada participate in the annual event, concentrating on crime prevention awareness, strengthening community-police relations, generating support for local anti-crime programs and sending a message to criminals that law-abiding citizens are determined to take back their communities.