Cocktails at the home of Dorothy and Clay Sifford marked the official kickoff of one of Nashville’s most cherished philanthropic traditions

On Tuesday, August 18th, the Swan Ball 2027 Auction season officially began with a summer-chic cocktail gathering hosted by Dorothy and Clay Sifford at their gorgeous Belle Meade home. The evening brought together Swan Ball 2027 Chairs Carter Dawson and Ashley Dinkins, Auction Chairs Stephanie Bailey, Katherine Cigarran, and Hylyn Davé, Auction Party Chairs Julie Dretler, Leigh Hillenmeyer, and Wesley Stanley, and an enthusiastic team of auction committee members whose work will help shape one of the city’s most anticipated charitable events.

The gathering was both elegant and deeply warm, with familiar faces, new introductions, and the kind of easy conversation that makes the Swan Ball community feel so special. On the way in, I ran into new committee member Rachel Robinson, which was a lovely way to begin the evening. Once inside the Siffords’ gracious home, the party unfolded as a wonderful mix of catching up with longtime friends, meeting the leadership team, and celebrating the momentum already building around next year’s auction.

I especially enjoyed catching up with Mary Jo Shankle and seeing Julie Schneider and Sarah Reisner, who had all just recently been together for Broadway Brunch. It was also a treat to see Russell Bates and Ben Scott and hear about their most recent trip to Amsterdam. I loved having a chance to catch up a bit with Irwin Fisher, and it was great to visit with Bob Deal, Jason Bradshaw, and Kayla Counts, who are once again leading the décor for next year’s Auction Party. Their involvement always brings such energy and style to the evening, and their presence underscored how many hands, talents, and friendships come together to make Swan Ball season so memorable.

It is always wonderful to see Elizabeth Nichols, and I was glad to have the chance to meet the current Auction Co-Chairs: Stephanie Bailey, Katherine Cigarran, and Hylyn Davé. I chatted a bit with Stephanie and even hinted that I may be joining the Auction Committee, which made the evening feel even more connected and exciting. I also enjoyed meeting next year’s Swan Ball Co-Chairs, Carter Dawson and Ashley Dinkins. One of the most memorable conversations of the night was hearing from Carter about the hotel she and her husband, Chris, have in New Orleans, The Celestine. Who doesn’t love a fabulous hotel in a fabulous city?

The official Swan Ball 2027 Auction Party will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2027, at Belle Meade Country Club. The evening will serve as the primary venue for bidding on the extraordinary vacations and valuables offered through the auction, complemented by online and digital bidding that will extend the excitement beyond the ballroom. Auction item previews will be available on the Swan Ball website at www.swanball.com, giving supporters an early look at the distinctive experiences, trips, and treasures that have long made the auction a centerpiece of the Swan Ball tradition.

I was also delighted to see my friend, newlywed Emily Stowe who is serving as Auction Advisory Chair, as well as Sylvia Bradbury, who is wearing two hats this year as both PR Chair and Auction Advisory Chair, and Peggy Kinnard. Jenny Hannon and I had a chance to chat a bit about the parks, which served as a meaningful reminder of the purpose behind all the planning and celebration. And, of course, the legendary Bill Forrester was serving drinks—because it really is not a party without Bill.

Founded by the late Mrs. Jane Anderson Dudley and now celebrating its 65th year, the Swan Ball remains one of the nation’s oldest and most successful fundraising events. Its longevity is rooted not only in the glamour of the Ball itself, but also in the extraordinary volunteer commitment behind it. Thanks to the efforts of more than 250 Swan Ball volunteers, the 2027 Ball will raise significant funds to benefit Friends of Warner Parks, continuing a legacy of civic generosity that has helped define Nashville’s arts, society, and cultural life for generations.

Friends of Warner Parks works in close partnership with the Metro Nashville Parks & Recreation Department to preserve and protect Percy and Edwin Warner Parks, a 3,195-acre environmental oasis, outdoor classroom, and historic landmark for the Nashville community. Through forest stewardship, trail restoration, research, and educational programming, the organization protects these beloved parks and sustains their vitality for generations to come.

In the third year of Swan Ball’s five-year plan with Friends of Warner Parks, proceeds from the Ball will support essential improvements throughout the parks while expanding opportunities for children across Nashville to connect with nature. Swan Ball funding helps bring more children to the parks and delivers high-quality, nature-based learning directly to Metro Parks community centers throughout the city. A cornerstone of this effort is the Nature Discovery Program, built on more than 50 years of environmental education. Through hands-on experiences—such as identifying native plants, tending pollinator gardens, and preparing seeds for spring—children build confidence, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the natural world.

Currently offered at 13 of Metro Parks’ 26 community centers, the Nature Discovery Program will expand to all 26 centers with support from Swan Ball. Funding will also help maintain trails, enhance programs at the Nature Center, and preserve the historic structures that make Warner Parks a vital public asset. By bringing outdoor learning into after-school spaces across Nashville, Swan Ball, in partnership with Friends of Warner Parks, ensures equitable access to nature and environmental education for children in every neighborhood, including those historically underserved.

I have known Dorothy for a long time, so it was especially fun to get a mini-tour of the house and experience the evening in such a personal setting. Altogether, the Kick Off felt like a gracious and spirited beginning to the Swan Ball 2027 Auction effort: elegant, welcoming, full of purpose, and rooted in the friendships and volunteer commitment that continue to make the Swan Ball such an enduring Nashville tradition. From the summer-chic attire to the lively conversations and the quiet reminder of the parks at the heart of the mission, the evening captured what the Swan Ball does best: bring people together in celebration of beauty, community, and lasting public good.