The Octagon Center for the Arts is shooting for a spring theme this year with its annual dinner and auction scheduled for May 1.

The event, which usually takes place in the winter, has been titled the May Day Dinner/Auction because of its new date.

“We used to have it in the winter, and we thought it might be nice to do it in a time of year not so dreary,” said Linda Swan, administrative assistant at The Octagon Center.

The dinner/auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

Swan said the main attraction of the dinner is the auctioning of art ranging from small to large in both size and price.

“There is quite a bit of original artwork,” Swan said. She added that some antiques will be up for grabs, including furniture, merchandise items from local merchants and a number of trips and vacation opportunities.

In addition, a one-week stay in a cabin located on the Mississippi River has been donated by the cabin’s owners, and special event tickets also are available.

Swan said staff from The Octagon Center are grateful for the local merchants’ donations to the event.

“There are probably between 50 and 75 local businesses donating items,” she said.

Gary Youngberg, owner of Ames Silversmithing, 220 Main St., creates an original piece of jewelry every year to be auctioned off at the event. This year’s piece will feature a Mexican onyx inside a pendant.

The ticket price for the dinner and auction is $40. Included in the price is a chance for the door prize, which is a Valentine’s Day weekend getaway at the newly remodeled Ramada Inn in Ames.

Everyone who buys a ticket is eligible to win the door prize, and every $50 in the live, silent auction earns patrons another chance at the getaway.

Participants also will enjoy changes in the dinner plan, Swan said.

“The food is a little different this year. In the past, it’s been formal and sit-down,” she said.

Swan said the dinner will include a buffet with entrees, salads, desserts and gourmet coffees. Also available will be wine, a punch fountain and a cash bar. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by local jazz musicians the Rich Beachler Trio.

The event, which is open to the public, attracts a large number of people from the Ames community. Swan said about 1,300 invitations for past events have been sent through the center’s mailing list.

“In the past we’ve often had 150 to 200 people,” Swan said. “It’s really kind of a fun event for people who want a special night out.”

Decor for the event will follow the May Day theme. Swan said a May Pole will be placed in the center of the Great Hall with streamers and flowers resting on top, and May baskets with flowers will be centerpieces for the tables.

“May 1 was a day that was pretty open [to schedule the event], so we figured the May Day theme was appropriate,” Swan said.

The event is The Octagon Center’s biggest fund-raiser and is instrumental to funding for the center.

The cost of the tickets pays for the dinner, and the remainder of the money goes toward the center.

“It’s a ticket for admission, but it’s also a donation,” Swan said.

She said The Octagon Center was established almost 32 years ago, and the dinner/auction event has taken place nearly every year.

“We are very grateful to everyone who has supported this event with donations, and we’re grateful in advance to those who attend and buy auction items,” she said.

Tickets can be purchased until Friday by calling 232-5331, or through mailing orders to The Octagon Center, 427 Douglas Ave.