HOLLANDALE — The Hollandale Christian School will host its annual $ellebration auction on Friday night.

There will be a light supper starting at 5:30 p.m. made up of pulled pork sandwiches from Hormel Foods, potato salad from Mrs. Gerry’s Kitchen and baked beans, cookies, bars, coffee and juice. A silent auction will run from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. and a live auction will start at 7 p.m. Child care is available at the church across the street from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Mike Ravenhorst, a parent and former student at the school is the chairman for the fundraising committee for the second year in a row.

Ravenhorst said the committee this year is excited to offer more items that are outdoors-related. Cabelas donated fishing, hunting and camping gear for the auction. There has also been a donation of firearms by anonymous donors.

There will also be gift certificates available to bid on from businesses in Albert Lea, Austin, Owatonna and Blooming Prairie. Projects made by each class of students will be auctioned off, which Ravenhorst said makes for an interesting time with parents bantering back and forth to win their child’s work.

“It’s not your usual auction where people come to get stuff cheap,” Ravenhorst said.

Because people know it is a fundraiser for the school, Ravenhorst said people will pay high prices for items, like homemade pie and bread.

“Those seem to be the highest,” Ravenhorst said. “There are a lot of giggles and laughs when pies are going for over a hundred bucks.”

He also gave an example of toy tractors that have sold in the past. He said there were a couple of guys who didn’t really care what they bought, they just wanted to donate and they ended up paying more than $400 for a tractor they could have bought in a store for $25.

Auctioneer Greg Jensen donates his time and takes care of selling the items. Ravenhorst said one year there was a flag and flag pole up for auction, and because Jensen knew the gentlemen who were bidding, once the bidding had stopped he said, “well that was the pole, now let’s auction off the flag.”

The older students at Hollandale Christian School help out by bringing the merchandise to the stage to be auctioned off.

“The whole reason we’re here is for the kids and to help them grow not only academically, but in their walk with Christ as well,” Ravenhorst said. “It’s a good way to remind everyone why they’re there.”

Ravenhorst said it’s hard work to put the auction together, but when more than 200 people show up, it’s all worthwhile.

Ravenhorst said the school’s goal is $30,000 and each year they wonder how they’ll do with the lagging economy and the differences in what is up for auction.

“If we can hit that number, we feel successful,” Ravenhorst said.

The money raised from the fundraiser goes toward paying for items that the teachers and staff deem necessary. Ravenhorst said this year, the school is looking to purchase a second Smart Board.