In 2015, in the midst of her battle with cancer, Catoosa County's Audrey Hale was the featured speaker of the first-ever Goodlet Farm Festival.
This year, the second annual event on the Rock Spring farm will pay tribute to Hale, who lost her battle earlier this year.
"Audrey Hale had family pictures made on the farm and I started a casual conversation," said Goodlet Farm owner Patsy Goodlet. "It tugged on my heart the more she talked. She was diagnosed Stage 4, but she was the nicest person I'd ever met. Her faith took her through the day. Her personality and witness was amazing."
The two-day family-fun festival features live music and entertainment beginning at 11:15 a.m. Oct. 1. As with most fall festivals there will be artisans and children's activities, including a petting zoo, but this one goes beyond the typical festival fare. There will also be a car show, silent auction, Civil War encampment, presentations by a dozen local authors and a nine-hole putt putt golf course.
The festivities, Oct. 2, will begin with the Scare Away Breast Cancer 5k Fun Run at 1:30 p.m., benefiting the MaryEllen Locher Foundation's scholarship fund for area children whose parents have faced breast cancer. Those interested can run solo or as part of a team. Registration cost for solo runners is $35; $20 if on a team, and runners can sign up until the day of the race.
A concert featuring No Big Deal and Smith & Wesley will follow the run at 3:30 p.m.
"We are also having a silent auction with plenty of stuff," Goodlet said. "We have Taylor Swift, Thomas Rhett and Kenny Chesney memorabilia that will be sold at the silent auction. Some of the memorabilia is signed by the artists. We have Yeti cups, a canvas painting of Nick Chubb, and certificates from spas and boutiques in Chattanooga."
The $10 admission per day for those age 13 and up (those age 12 and under enter for free) will also benefit the MaryEllen Locher Foundation's scholarships.
"The late Audrey Hale passed away last January of breast cancer," said Goodlet. "Her daughter Hannah Hale was a recipient of the MEL Foundation Scholarship this year."
Email Katie Ward at kward@timesfreepress.com.