JERSEYVILLE – This year’s Harvest Fest in Jerseyville will feature the event’s first-ever variety show and much more for visitors to enjoy while supporting local students.
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St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School is gearing up for its 28th annual Harvest Fest, set for Friday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 on the church grounds at 506 S. State St. in Jerseyville.
Harvest Fest not only marks a full weekend of family fun, but also the school’s largest annual fundraising event. 100% of the proceeds directly support the school’s educational and operational needs, with last year’s event raising a total of $175,000.
Nicole McKenney, a member of the Harvest Fest Committee, said the event proceeds have made a positive impact on the school by helping bring added technology, textbooks and new faculty over the past few years.
Friday, Sept. 18
The first night of the festival kicks off with food available at 5 p.m., including pulled pork, the Fish Stand and lemonade shakeups. A Cornhole Tournament follows, with registration starting at 6 p.m.
This also marks the first day of the Basket Raffle, with participants hoping to win a variety of donated gift baskets. The Friday raffle will be held at 5 p.m. inside the St Francis gymnasium, with Saturday and Sunday basket raffles both at 11 a.m. Basket raffle winners will be announced before the Grand Raffle drawing on Sunday evening.
In addition to the Basket and Grand Raffles, McKenney said there will also be gun raffles, gift card raffles and cooler raffles taking place all weekend long.
Friday night will also see live musical entertainment from The Midnight Boys, who will perform from 7 to 11 p.m. under the Entertainment Tent.
Saturday, Sept. 19
The festival grounds open at 11 a.m. on Saturday, when all foods and desserts will be available, including Harvest Fest Stew. The Children’s Game Tent will also open at 11 a.m., including “I DOODIT” and the Color Wheel, while adults can enjoy the Basket Raffle or Bingo, both also starting at 11 a.m.
Children up to high school ages can also test their skills in a Turkey Calling Competition from 3:30 to 5 p.m. under the Entertainment Tent. The competition is sponsored by RTD Turkey Calls.
McKenney said a Live Auction will be held at about 8 p.m. under the Entertainment Tent. Pumpkins stuffed with varying amounts of cash, one-half beef and many other prizes are up for grabs.
Saturday night’s musical entertainment will come from The Highway 67 Band, featuring members from Back in the Saddle, who are performing from 7 to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 20
Festival foods, including Harvest Fest Stew, will once again be available for attendees when the festival reopens at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning. The Children’s Game Tent, Basket Raffle and Bingo also open again at 11 a.m.
A full afternoon of back-to-back performances takes place under the Entertainment Tent on Sunday, starting with the Jersey Community High School Show Choir and Jazz Ensemble from 12 to 1 p.m.
The first-ever “Spotlight Variety Show” in Harvest Fest history will be held from 1:30 to 5 p.m., feautring DJ BHutch at 1:30 p.m. and a wide array of entertaining acts starting around 3 p.m. McKenney said these include a guitar solo, singing trio, basketball skills and dancing.
More live music will follow on Sunday evening, when Rusty Groppel, lead singer of Tanglefoot, will perform a solo acoustic set from 5 to 9 p.m. His performance takes place under the Entertainment Tent before and after the Grand Raffle.
The Grand Raffle Drawing will take place at about 7 p.m. on Sunday night. A total of $30,500 in prizes are being awarded, including a $15,000 grand prize. Raffle tickets are $50 each, or you can buy two to get a third for free, with tickets available for purchase here. McKenney said raffle tickets will also be available for purchase throughout the festival.
For more details on the 28th annual Harvest Fest, visit the event’s official Facebook page.
