For 49 years, Kraybill Mennonite School has invited the community out for its annual Benefit Auction and Pig Roast. The fun will continue this year on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, at the school, 598 Kraybill Church Road, Mount Joy. Friday's festivities will run from 4 to 9 p.m., and Saturday's activities will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Friday's events will begin with a preview of auction items and bidder number registration at 4 p.m. A pig roast dinner will be available for eat-in or takeout from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The menu will include pulled pork, a sandwich roll, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, applesauce and water.

A children's tent will feature activities such as inflatables, face painting, games and a dunk tank from 4 to 8 p.m. At 7 p.m., a seventh-grade vs. eighth-grade relay on an inflatable obstacle course will be held. A family-friendly movie will be shown at 7:15 p.m.

At 5 p.m. on Friday, the auction will begin, featuring home decor and household goods, including gift baskets. At 6 p.m., class projects will be spotlighted in the auction.

"Every class makes an auction item/basket to sell. The entire class helps out," said Suzanne Snyder, administrative assistant. "Some baskets include self-care coffee basket, art made by the class, flower garden items, pickleball items, play-dough sets, movie-night basket, kitchen baking basket, barbecue basket, wooden flowerpot hangers, cookbook and pie filling made by the home tech classes."

Friday's auction will also include a range of interactive experiences with Kraybill teachers, such as a day at the park with ice cream, a pool party, a trip to the theater and more.

On Friday, a variety of food will be available, including Bricker's french fries and chicken tenders, Dutch Country Soft Pretzels and homemade strawberry pies, as well as beef brisket sandwiches and hot dogs from Schildt Shack.

Saturday's events will start with the Kraybill Meetinghouse Miles 5K. Registration will open at 6 a.m., and the race will begin at 7:30 a.m. Participants may register in advance or can sign up at the event on Saturday.

From 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., an all-you-can-eat breakfast will be served. The menu will include pancake tacos, egg frittatas, fruit, sausage, Moravian sugar cake, juice, coffee and milk.

An auction preview will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday, followed by children's activities that will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday's auctions will begin at 9 a.m. and will include outdoor items at 10 a.m. and quilts at 11 a.m.

Food on Saturday will include cheesesteaks on the Blackstone from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as the opportunity to make your own snow cones on a human-powered hamster wheel.

A chicken barbecue will be available for eat-in or takeout from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Advance tickets must be purchased by Thursday, April 30. A limited number of meals will be available for same-day purchase. The meals will include a half-chicken, a baked potato, a roll, applesauce and a Peppermint Patty.

"As we celebrate the 49th year of this fundraiser, we look forward to having fun and meaningful fellowship with students, parents, alumni, teachers and community members," Snyder said. "The auction is a chance to come together and support the school while enjoying delicious food and baked goods. From unique handcrafted items to exciting experiences, there is something for everyone to enjoy and bid on."

Proceeds from the two-day event help to support operating expenses of the school.

"Your participation and contributions play a crucial role in allowing us to provide an affordable Christian education for our students and families," Snyder remarked.

Kraybill Mennonite School is open to students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. The school is celebrating its 76th anniversary this school year.

For more information on the auction, visit https://kraybillauction.com.