—Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Adri Sietstra An assortment of live and silent auction items available to bid on at the 2017 St. Thomas Aquinas Ball are pictured above. The public can get a headstart on bidding Friday, May 5 during the Bourbon and Bites after-hours event from 5 to 9 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Center.

The public is invited to a sneak preview of the St. Thomas Aquinas Ball on Friday, May 5 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Thomas Church Center.

The Bourbon and Bites after-hours event will be a chance to view the silent auction items featured at the ball, sample some “bites” and see friends. The event is free and open to the public.

St. Thomas Aquinas will be hosting the 2017 St. Thomas Aquinas Ball on Saturday, May 6. This year’s theme is “Race for Success” and is centered around the Kentucky Derby. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and end at midnight.

The evening will entail a social hour, live and silent auctions, heads or tails game, and a grand prize drawing.

Entertainment will be provided by The Dueling Pianos of Andy Anderson and Mike Leeds.

“There’s been a lot of interest in our entertainment this year,” said Heidi Tesdahl, a volunteer for the St. Thomas Aquinas Ball. “We’re expecting a good crowd.”

Ball tickets cost $50 a person. The ticket price includes two complimentary drink tickets, dinner and dessert, and entertainment. Only 300 tickets will be sold to the ball. Organizers encourage those who wish to attend to call ahead and reserve tickets.

“If somebody wants to donate to either our silent or live auction or buy a raffle ticket, they can do that,” said Tesdahl. “The winner of the raffle does not have to be present that night to win.”

The public will also be able to start bidding on both the live and silent auction items Friday night during the Bourbon and Bites after-hours event. Individuals who are unable to make the Saturday event but would still like to bid on items can do so.

“We allow bidding to actually start on our items on Friday night, so somebody who doesn’t have a chance to be there Saturday night can still bid on items,” said Tesdahl.

Bidders can give a minimum and maximum amount they are willing to put up for any auction item, and another individual present at the ball can bid for them based on their monetary allowances.

“Friday night we give the bidders a card and they can put their item number and a minimum and maximum bid and then I give those cards to some of the people that are there Saturday night to keep an eye on those items,” said Tesdahl, “so if somebody would outbid, we would go back up to that person’s maximum bid.”

Individuals can still purchase raffle tickets also. Raffle tickets are $50 each or individuals can buy three tickets for $125. Raffle prizes include a grand prize of $10,000, second prize of $2,000, and third prize of $1,000 in SCRIP gift cards.

Individuals interested in buying ball and raffle tickets can contact the school office at St. Thomas Aquinas at (515) 832-1346. Individuals can also still contact the office to donate auction items.

“I think people should come to the ball because it’s just a fun night and it’s supporting the school and there’s not a lot of opportunity in a town our size to have great entertainment and a fun night out,” said Tesdahl.

St. Thomas Aquinas teaches preschool-aged children through sixth grade. Money raised will be go towards the school for education purposes.

“We opened our doors in 1952, so this is our 65th year of serving students in Webster City and the surrounding area,” said St. Thomas Aquinas Principal Duane Siepker. “We offer a choice in education, not as an antagonist to the public school, but as a partner in the total educational program. We have a great relationship with the Webster City Community Schools.”

The annual ball is the school’s main fundraiser for a third of the income the school receives.

“We have three essential sources of income for the school. One third of our income comes from tuition. One third comes from the Parish…the final third comes from resources like the ball, third-source income,” said Siepker. “The ball is our key revenue source when it comes to third-source income.”

“It’s just a really fun night,” said Tesdahl. “We have a good time and celebrate the kids and the cause.”

There will be a photo booth and professional photographer at Saturday’s event for those interested.

In conjunction with the Kentucky Derby theme, the signature drinks of the night will be a variety of bourbon and Mint Julips. Both drinks are “iconic to the Kentucky Derby.”