On the Circuit: Swan Ball 2027 Auction Committee Kickoff

Members of the Swan Ball 2027 Auction Committee gathered at the home of Dorothy and Clay Sifford to begin work on the auction, which will take shape over the next 11 months. Guests mingled over glasses of crisp white wine and snacks from a beautifully arranged cheese and charcuterie board. Swan Ball 2027 co-chairs Carter Dawson and Ashley Dinkins circulated through the rooms, visiting with guests, while Auction Committee co-chairs Stephanie Bailey, Katherine Cigarran and Hylyn Davé thanked committee members for their upcoming commitments.

Once everyone had arrived, Elizabeth Nichols, co-board chair of Swan Ball Initiative, the Swan Ball’s governing body, addressed the crowd. She emphasized the auction’s important role in raising funds for beneficiary Friends of Warner Parks.

“It’s a very, very important piece of the Swan Ball,” said Elizabeth. “And again, without you all, it wouldn’t happen.”

The Swan Ball chairs thanked everyone for their work before turning the floor over to the Auction Committee chairs, who directed members to detailed packets outlining the variety of volunteer roles available.

Elizabeth then introduced Jenny Hannon, president of Friends of Warner Parks, who spoke about why their work matters. Now 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. Jenny noted that the work underway today will affect generations to come.

“Warner Parks will be 100 years old in 2027,” Jenny said. “And so we know that if we are going to have this park for the next 100 years, that we really need to take care of the land.”