Last Saturday Swan Ball 2024, chaired by Sally Nesbitt and Carolyn Taylor, was held at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens.

Celebrating its 62nd year, the Swan Ball raises funds annually to benefit Cheekwood.

This year’s Swan Ball was one of the most beautiful ever, with ball concept by Dori Thornton Waller, of The Social Office, and floral design by Jim Knestrick.

The theme for the evening was a celebration of light, romance and enchantment, adding a magical and larger than life touch to the time-honored ball.

As guests arrived, a tranquil harp serenaded them while they ascended the grand staircase, which was covered in peach, blush and vibrant pink blooms.

The dinner tent was bursting with the bright colors coral and apricot and adorned with larger-than-life florals, crystal chandeliers and stone accents.

Hanging above the dining tables was an enormous and impressive wrought iron trellis, which was detailed at the base with Lenten roses and Lilies of the Valley, and transitioned to massive faux blooms that cascaded above.

The Swan Award was presented to Amy Grant at the white tie event. Grant, a long-time Nashvillian, has built a long, successful career as a singer-songwriter and musician. She began her career in contemporary Christian music before crossing over to pop music in the mid-1980s. Grant has been referred to as “The Queen of Christian Pop.”

The featured jeweler was Kentshire, a family firm founded in 1940, which is one of the foremost dealers of fine period and estate jewelry. All the ladies at the ball loved perusing, and buying, the outstanding jewelry and objects of enduring design and elegance.

Caterer Kristen Winston began the delicious meal with baby iceberg wheels topped with tomatoes, bacon and buttermilk herb dressing.

The entrée was filet of beef, served with cheddar grits, green beans, zucchini ribbons, and roasted corn.

Dessert was peach berry shortcake, with strawberry sorbet. The wines for each course were donated by the always generous Lipman Brothers.

Following dinner, there were rumors of a musical surprise and everyone quickly came to attention when a young trumpeter began to play on the dance floor.

More and more performers came from all directions until everyone realized this was a musical flash mob! Sam Levine and his City Lights Band organized this special treat, which was greatly appreciated by the crowd.

The headline entertainment was Old Crow Medicine Show, an Americana string band based in Nashville, which has been recording since 1998. They are members of the Grand Ole Opry and have won two Grammy Awards. They performed their raucous show for the guests, who enjoyed clapping, singing along and dancing to their lively songs.

The evening continued with music for dancing, played by Jessie’s Girls, until the party ended at 2 a.m.

Among those who RSVPed were: Cheekwood Board Chair Ronald Roberts, Deborah Roberts, Corrina Grant Gill, Bo and Nicole Watson, Elizabeth and Donnie Nichols, Elizabeth and David Dingess, Anne and Rich Maradik, Peggy and Randy Kinnard, Sissy Wilson, Elizabeth and Clark Akers, Mary Catherine and David McClellan, Jerry and Ernie Williams, Jason Bradshaw, Bob Deal, Lake and John Eakin, Carol and John Rochford, Laura and Charlie Niewold, Felice and Spook Oldacre, Kathy and Bobby Rolfe, Laurie and Jim Seabury, Allen DeCuyper, Steve Sirls, Brenda Corbin, Anne and Tommy Nesbitt, Ann and Ron Pruitt, Missy and John Voigt, Marion and Ham Wallace, Judy and Brian Wilcox, and Marianne and Andrew Byrd.