Photograph by Robert Kusel

Lisa Holstein and Pim Alley

Set against the picturesque background of the Chicago Botanic Garden, the annual Harvest Ball will be in full bloom on September 25. The evening’s festivities begin at 6 p.m., and guests will be cordially greeted with glasses of champagne upon their arrival at the garden. After perusing the silent auction items in Nichols Hall and enjoying the serenity of two Bonsai gardens, they will move out to the Esplanade tent for an exquisite meal provided by Calihan Catering. The menu for this year’s event includes beef tenderloin, a mixed greens salad, and a myriad of vegetables and potatoes. A live auction, musical performance by Lynne Jordan and the Shivers, and dancing will complete the starlit evening.

Surrounded by beautiful wildflowers and purple and green décor, Harvest Ball guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of live-auction packages including a stay in a Nantucket home, a visit to the exclusive Hillsboro Club in Florida, and a trip to the private Skibo castle in Scotland. The silent auction will also feature a number of impressive packages such as first-row seats to a Cubs game and a trip to Hawaii.

The Guild of the Chicago Botanic Garden and Harvest Ball co-chairs Pim Alley and Lisa Holstein look forward to the evening, which many have come to regard as a “Homecoming.” As one of the few charitable events to have a scenic outdoor setting, it is a unique and highly anticipated occasion that is made possible by the concerted efforts of the various board members. Money raised at this year’s event will benefit the Garden’s Center for Teaching and Learning, which includes Science First and College First, two programs designated to expose school-aged children and high school students to nature through a hands-on science curriculum. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 847-835-6830.