Have a craving for bacon?

If so, plan to attend the first Bacon & Blues Festival from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Tamaqua Station Restaurant.Organized by John and Melanie Ross, owners of the restaurant, the date marks National Bacon Day.However, Melanie said the event is about much more than bacon."The inspiration behind the event was the passing of our former employee Matthew 'Tuna' Osenbach," Melanie said. "We are organizing this event with 100 percent of food and event proceeds going back to the community to provide support, prevention, knowledge and unity about this epidemic that's affecting our town."Osenbach passed away Jan. 4, his 31st birthday, of a heroin/fentanyl overdose, Melanie said."We want this to stop. We want to prevent it," she said. "We need to unite and get the problem out of our town; (that) is our vision."Melanie said there will be a bacon-themed menu - both food and drinks - with items such as bacon martinis and bacon bloody Marys; bacon-wrapped scallops; California BLTs; bacon-wrapped tenderloin; and apple and bacon sticky buns with walnuts.She said entertainment will include musician Phil Stahl from noon to 3 p.m., The Fat Cats from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and The Big and Bad Rockabilly Cats from 7-10 p.m.There will be a clean comedy act by Jason Lacerte.There will also be plenty of children's activities, such as face-painting, balloon animals and a coloring contest, as well as a cornhole game for adults and children and large Chinese auction, Melanie said."It is national Bacon Day, and we're making the best of it," she said. "Just come out and support the community."Melanie said they intend for this to become an annual event, with their vision that in 10 years it will turn into Tamaqua's own mini-music fest, with all of the proceeds going back into the community.She said any local businesses or organizations that would like to get involved may contact the Tamaqua Station Restaurant at 570-668-3800.For more information, check them out on Facebook under Tamaqua Station Restaurant.