People battling cancer can’t take a day off from their fight for rain, snow or excessive heat.

So volunteers at the inaugural LOCstock festival to benefit the American Cancer Society used them as inspiration when they woke to heavy rain Monday morning.

It was a matter of bringing plenty of tents, plenty of volunteers and working around the weather.

“We do this no matter what — rain or shine. A cancer patient doesn’t give a damn whether it’s raining outside, snowing, sunny,” said Tom Hoey, a cancer society volunteer. “They fight no matter what.”

The music festival and raft race drew crowds to the Lehighton Outdoor Center. Despite a rainy morning, the skies cleared and the cars arrived to make event a success.

Music fans listened to nine acts who donated their time and talent, and enjoyed food from local vendors and clubs like the Lehighton Lionesses.

The Lehighton Outdoor Center and cancertelethon.org embraced a tradition which was born in Lansford 21 years ago. After Zoo­stock ended a successful 20-year run, outdoor center owner Jerry McAward agreed to take the reins for the event. Zoostock would sell unique tie-dye T-shirts every year, and this year’s event continued that tradition as well.

Many of the volunteers who helped put on Zoostock over the years came out on Monday, whether they were volunteering or patronizing the event.

Gary and Jane Breiner wore their shirts Zoostock from 2013 and 2018. They said it was strange to wake up on Labor Day Monday and not have to head to Zoostock in the early morning to get prepared for the day.

“We didn’t work it this year, but we came down to support them,” Jane said.

Lori Kane has been a longtime volunteer for Zoostock and cancertelethon.org. She said she wouldn’t know what to do on Labor Day Monday if the event had ceased to take place.

People showed their selflessness in different ways throughout the day.

The event featured games of chance to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Multiple winners donated a share of their jackpots back to the cause. Some even donated the whole thing.

“That just goes to show how our community pulls together and does their part to make a difference with everything we do,” Kane said.

The event also marked the return of the Raft Against Cancer Race. The rafters had less than perfect weather for their trip from Lehighton to Bowmanstown. Despite that, the fastest group managed to finish the stretch in 42 minutes.

Each boat had a minimum $200 donation, and rafters also raised money from sponsors. Despite the rainy weather, the race alone raised more than $2,500.

The Haydt family of Lehighton were participants in the raft race before it came to an end in the ’90s, and they were happy to resume it. They came out despite the morning’s storms.

“We knew we were going to be wet anyway,” Jan Haydt said.

Quinn Haydt, 8, said she was so excited for the race that she couldn’t sleep the night before.

Many of the guides and bus drivers who work for Lehighton Outdoor Center and Jim Thorpe River Adventures donated their time. Guides like Deb Schell said they were happy to give back while doing something they enjoyed.

McAward said when he got a chance to host the event, it didn’t take much deliberation to accept it. He’s hoping to build on the race, and the fundraising total from this year.

“We’re hoping that next year the momentum of this pretty full six acres here carries forward with more people giving more money for the cancer society through this event,” he said.