Rockin’ Rescue 15 was held over the weekend in the Weissport Borough Park and celebrated all things animal related.

This was the 15th year of the festival, a three-day fundraiser for the Blue Mountain Animal Rescue Society and the Blue Mountain Cat Cottage Adoption Center. The event was sponsored this year by Zimmerman’s Dairy in Lehighton, and Mana and Mochas in Lehighton.

The festival featured craft and food vendors, a silent/basket auction, a flea market and yard sale, raffles, and a 50/50 drawing, plus live entertainment.

Several food vendors were lined up around the area to serve the crowd.

Live entertainment featured DJ Tony and his Side Kick on Friday; Dance With Kim, Yoga with Illese, a Karaoke Contest, and “Nameless Hate” on Saturday; and the Pennsylvania Villagers, followed by Jeff Krick and his Elvis tribute, and Suddenly Found on Sunday.

David Vaillette of Slatington, owner of Lehigh Treats, said these types of festivals plus online orders at LehighTreats.com, is how he operates his business, making freeze-dried candies. He’s been in business for two year now.

“We have four freeze dryers now,” Vaillette explained. “During the summer, we run almost 24 hours a day. We do party favors, 2-ounce containers with custom labels, fundraisers, all kinds of stuff.”

Freeze-dying food can take from three hours like Skittles and saltwater taffy, and up to 24 to 48 hours for some of the other types of food.

Each year at Rockin’ Rescue, the Blue Mountain Animal Rescue Society presents awards to those who help the society.

“Each year, we honor a Dog of the Year, Cat of the Year, as well as volunteers, transporters, Monroe County, and Carbon County,” Donna Crum, president of the BMARS, said.

The Dog of the Year award was presented to the family of Harry and Brittany Pry and their dog, Soul, aka Han Solo.

“His name was Soul when we adopted him,” Harry Pry said. “But we also have another dog named Leia (after Princess Leia). So calling him Han Solo just fit in the theme.”

According to Crum, the rescue group acquired Soul under sad circumstances.

“He was with a veteran who was homeless,” Crum explained. “The veteran needed to better his life, and we helped him do that, too. He (Soul) turned one year old in April. This family came along as fosters, and he just fit right into their pack.”

Volunteer of the Year for Carbon County was presented to Jaimie LaBar of Palmerton.

Junior Volunteer of the Year was Tryniti LaBar, Palmerton.

The Volunteer and Transporter of the Year awards were given to Judy Powelson and Patti Dempsey, a mother and daughter team.

Kelly Dotter received a Volunteer of the Year award.

Also during Rockin’ Rescue, Dance with Kim For a Cause, the charitable arm of Dance With Kim, operated by Kimberly Semmel, donated $500 to the Blue Mountain Animal Rescue Society.