Members of the Knights of Columbus St. Mary’s Council No. 12527, led by Javier Solis, prepare food for the Sacred Heart Harvest Festival. Solis will return to prepare a prime rib dinner for this year’s event on Nov. 7.

 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Sacred Heart Catholic Parish and the Knights of Columbus St. Mary’s Council No. 12527 will host their annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, Nov. 7, to raise funds for much-needed repairs to the parish rectory.

The event will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Gridley Moose Lodge, featuring a prime rib dinner, games, silent auctions and cash prize drawings. Admission is free, with separate purchases required for dinner and games.

Organizers hope to raise at least $5,000 to help modernize the rectory, located next to Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Hazel Street.

According to volunteer organizer Mike Dahl, the building has not undergone significant updates since the 1940s. Fellow organizer Larry Earley said the aging structure needs electrical and plumbing improvements, along with replacement windows.

“All monies we specifically make with this fundraiser this year go back into rectory repair,” Dahl said.

The ticket booth was a popular stop at the 2025 Sacred Heart Harvest Festival, with families purchasing tickets to participate in a variety of games. Organizers expect another evening of games and prizes at this year’s event on Nov. 7.

This year's festival will feature several changes, including a new location at the Gridley Moose Lodge, a designated children's play area and separate entrances for guests who prefer not to enter through the bar area.

While longtime attractions such as the cake booth and Country Store will not return this year, organizers have planned several activities and opportunities for attendees to win prizes.

The evening's dinner will feature slow-cooked prime rib prepared by local grill master Javier Solis, who will be joined by members of the Knights of Columbus.

Opportunity drawings will be held every 15 minutes, with 20 prizes available throughout the evening. Guests can also bid on silent auction items until 7 p.m., when bidding will close in stages and winners will be announced.

“The opportunity drawings are going to have some really wonderful prizes,” Dahl said.

Additional drawings will offer cash prizes of $500, $250, $100 and $50. Tickets cost $2 each, and winners do not need to be present to claim their prizes.

A separate $50 door prize drawing will be held at 8 p.m., with the winner required to be present.

Beyond providing an evening of entertainment, organizers hope the festival will generate community support for improvements to the parish property.

The Sacred Heart Harvest Festival will be held at the Gridley Moose Lodge, 1533 Highway 99, Gridley. Admission is free, with dinner and games available for purchase.