Cheekwood
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from Cheekwood's attorney.
Swan Ball will benefit Friends of Warner Parks in 2025 rather than Cheekwood Estate and Gardens, according to a press release obtained by the Scene's sister publication the Nashville Post.
The event is set for June 7, 2025, at Edwin Warner Park, according to the release. The Metro Parks and Recreation Board on Tuesday approved permitting for the event.
Cheekwood on Tuesday submitted a notice to the U.S. District Court that it received from SB Initiative (SBI) addressed to “Swan Ball Friends,” and asked the court to expedite the proceedings. The announcement “confirms the urgent need to enjoin SBI from using Cheekwood’s SWAN BALL mark while the case is pending for the reasons stated in the Motion and supporting papers,” according to court documents.
Cheekwood established and has owned the Swan Ball since 1963, when it was first held on its Swan Lawn. In fact, Cheekwood has owned the Tennessee trademark registration for SWAN BALL since July 2004.
"By applying for the permit, SBI has shown that it will use Cheekwood’s Swan Ball mark before the Court decides who owns it, regardless of the harm to donors and Cheekwood," Cheekwood attorney Maia Woodhouse said in a statement. "So yesterday morning, Cheekwood filed a motion for a temporary restraining order and injunction against SBI’s use of Swan Ball while the case is pending. The fact that SBI has sued a charitable organization it once claimed to support speaks volumes about SBI’s priorities."
Swan Ball organizers, operating under the recently formed SBI, sued Cheekwood to take control of the event in July, alleging that Cheekwood took control of Swan Ball operations, although Cheekwood claims in court documents that it has owned the state trademark for the event since 2004. Cheekwood claimed that the event as run falls short of national charity standards and later countersued, alleging SBI did not have ownership of the event.
“As we consider the next chapter for Swan Ball, we are excited to continue our good work of the last six decades to enhance the quality of life in our community,” SBI board co-chairs Kathryn Brown and Elizabeth Nichols say in the release. “Over the past few months, it has been rewarding to hear nonprofit organizations marvel over the strength and impact that the Swan Ball volunteers can make on our community.”
Swan Ball has been held on Cheekwood’s Swan Lawn since its inception in 1963. It has since donated more than $37 million, according to the release.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
