— Submitted photo Camden Schultz and Adeline Tesdahl hold an auction item that will be featured at the St. Thomas Ball Saturday night. The painted window was a fifth grade project for the ball. Also pictured, seated, are students Joleah Stuhr, Ava Peterson and Sayeh Daher.

The public will have a chance tonight to preview many of the auction items that will be featured at the of the St. Thomas Aquinas Ball Saturday.

The Bourbon and Bites after-hours event, tonight from 5 to 9 p.m., will offer an opportunity 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.

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

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 and the price includes two complimentary drink tickets, dinner and dessert, and entertainment. Only 300 tickets will be sold to the ball.

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.