Rescheduled HopeFest is set for downtown today

HopeFest, an outdoor concert to raise funds for the benefit of cancer patients, will feature the band Notch 8 downtown this afternoon and evening.

The free Carson Tahoe Foundation concert on Third Street just west of Carson Street, next to Firkin & Fox, set for 5-8 p.m. Proceeds from raffle tickets and from sales of food and drinks will go to help cancer patients. The event had been planned for earlier at the Carson Tahoe Medical Center campus, but smoke problems stemming from the Rim fire in California led to rescheduling.

“A cancer diagnosis comes with a great deal of anxiety and all the unplanned expenses can be overwhelming,” said Kitty McKay, development officer for the sponsoring foundation. She said money raised will be distributed to patients by the Carson Tahoe Cancer Resource Center for such things as travel expenses, assistance with insurance co-pays and life-saving medications.

The event raffle is sponsored by Dick Campagni’s car dealerships. For six consecutive years, the dealerships have donated the prize — the choice of a new car or $10,000 — organizers said. In addition, Firkin & Fox and High Sierra Brewery Co. donate the food and libations being sold at the fundraiser. Organizers said such generosity by the firms means 100 percent of the take goes for patient support.