Fall for Cheekwood Welcomes Families to Celebrate the Season

The arrival of autumn in Nashville can mean many things, if not always cooler temperatures. And for hundreds of families, it means spending a Sunday afternoon at the Fall for Cheekwood fundraiser in support of the botanical garden’s education and outreach programs. Returning for its 13th year, the event is an annual tradition for some, and for newcomers it holds up as one of the most magical ways to experience the gardens. 

Chaired by Kate and Hank Ingram, along with Ryan and Barrett Wood, this year’s event welcomed guests to spectacular weather fit for a fall fest, providing the perfect backdrop for seasonal family fun. While hayrides, face painting, lawn games, sack races and other time-honored traditions delighted the kids, the debut of a first-ever Marigold River proved to be a solid standout: 2,500 vibrant red, orange and yellow blooms created a gorgeous river of color next to the Arboretum Lawn. As guests strolled the acres, they found tried-and-true delights around every corner: Pumpkin houses, the Once Upon a Harvest-themed scarecrow trail, Lundy Cupp’s haunting and endearing pumpkin carvings, and dozens of autumnal nooks and crannies in plain sight offered respites and photo opps alike. 

Adults enjoyed festive cocktails and brews while kids ate their cotton candy amid the colors of the season set against the rolling hills of Belle Meade. The Frist Learning Center Great Hall was the perfect final stop of the evening, where families enjoyed a buffet dinner provided by Edley’s Bar-B-Que. For hours, the event filled the grounds with the sounds of laughter, bluegrass music and friends catching up in the sunshine — all while supporting Cheekwood Estate & Gardens’ efforts to engage thousands of schoolchildren through field trips and cultural experiences.