The Guild of the Chicago Botanic Garden presents its Annual Harvest Ball on Saturday, September 22. The Chicago Botanic Garden in all its fall beauty serves as the backdrop for the Harvest Ball. With 385 acres of public gardens, 24 specialty gardens, four natural areas, and 80 acres of lakes, the Garden offers a unique location for an evening of dinner and dancing.

The black-tie garden party begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner and live auction that features domestic and international packages.

The Harvest Ball is co-chaired by Caroline Masterson and Sally Brown Thiman. The annual Ball, attended by more than 500 of Chicago's civic leaders, has raised more than $2.5 million benefitting the Garden's Center for Teaching and Learning. The Center for Teaching and Learning provides environmental education programs to children from kindergarten through high school.

Proceeds from the 2012 Harvest Ball will benefit the Chicago Botanic Garden's Center for Teaching and Learning, providing educational programs for teachers and youth from preschool through grade 12. Through these programs, the Garden seeks to inspire a lifelong interest in the natural world and the sciences, as well as concern and care for our environment.