Now in its 58th year, the annual Harvest Ball, which raises funds for St. Francis Catholic School, returns Saturday at Midnight Garden. Its theme “Bella Notte” (Italian for beautiful night) A Night For the Future, promises an evening of food, music, auctions and a good time supporting the school.

Social hour and small bites will open the night at 5 p.m., followed by a multi-course Italian dinner at 6 p.m.

“We’ll have nice, colorful decor. We’ll have pasta, soup, salad and tiramisu for dessert, served by Eric Boone,” said Anna Hargrave, who co-chairs the ball with Gabriela Wheaton.

Following the meal will be a live auction at 7 p.m. Live auction goodies include a scenic airplane ride over Marshalltown, feast with the priests, game day experiences, a trip to the Caribbean, a Green Bay Packers signed football and art and craft projects made by students.

“Each classroom got assigned a topic,” she said of the pupils’ contributions.

Silent auction items can be bid upon between now and Harvest Ball, with an option to buy it now. These treats include homemade meals, artwork, pampering packages, teacher experiences, faith-filled favorites, class books, trips and more.

Dueling Pianos will perform following the live auction.

Harvest Ball is the school’s largest fundraiser of the year. The goal that evening is to raise $65,000, which would provide more than half of the school’s annual fundraising budget.

“For the fundraising, what we’re really focusing on is doing some updated safety and protection of the school,” Hargrave said. “We have a Phase II that we’re trying to do for safety. Then we’re also hoping to raise money for things like student activities, so field trips, enrichment experiences and other opportunities that can be special for the classroom that make learning hands-on and exciting. Then we’re also trying to update our math curriculum.”

Tickets cost $65 per person or $120 per couple. Reserve a table for eight for $600. The supporter in spirit ticket is for those who can’t attend but still want to support the event.

St. Francis serves 275 students in grades 3-year-old pre-K through sixth.

“We just want to thank all of our sponsors. We’ve had just great support from the community, so we greatly appreciate all of our sponsors that have either donated money or donated items to auction off, we greatly appreciate that,” she said. “I would say attendance is a lot of parents and teachers and parish members, but we would love to invite all community members, and would love for anybody to come.”

Formal attire is encouraged.

To purchase tickets, make a donation, or view live and silent auction items, go to: www.one.bidpal.net/harvestball2025.

Cash and check donations can also be mailed to St. Francis Catholic School, attention Harvest Ball, 310 Columbus Dr., Marshalltown, IA, 50158. For more information, contact Hargrave at: annajohargrave@gmail.com