The 2nd Annual Phinley Phest, a fundraiser for childhood cancer research, is set to take place on October 12, 2024, at The Eagles Nest at Blackwater.

• The event honors the memory of Phinley Kate, a Crestview resident who battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) for four years before passing away just one day before her 5th birthday.

Phinley’s mother, Jessie Huisken, initiated the first Phinley Phest last year to keep her daughter’s memory alive and support pediatric cancer research.

In its inaugural year, the Phinley Phund exceeded expectations, raising over $120,000. This sum enabled the foundation to award a grant to the University of Cincinnati for AML research at the cellular level, with the aim of identifying causes of relapse.

This year’s costume party will feature games, children’s activities, a buffet, and a bar. All proceeds from ticket and specialty event cocktail sales will go directly to the Phund, along with a percentage of vendor sales.

• Country music artist Jessie G will headline the event with a benefit concert and meet-and-greet session. The singer reached out to Huisken after learning about Phinley’s story following the first Phinley Phest.

Tickets for the event are available for purchase through October 1 at https://fundraise.rallyfoundation.org/event/phinley-phest/e612561. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes to celebrate “Phinley the way she would love, filled with food, fun and laughter.”

The event is sponsored by The Property Group 850, Eagles Nest at Blackwater, Fletcher’s Towing, Rhonda Faulk at Certainty Home Loans, and Sam Marshall Architects.