Pumpkin Kisses

Caylan Jarman, John and Nancy Cheadle with John, Mary Walton and Franklin Jarman

Will MacLean, Derek Pell Doug Hunt, Valentina Bunetta Donnie and co-chair Kayla Counts with Tristan and Sebastion

Fall for Cheekwood returns with record numbers

On an unseasonably temperate day in September, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens opened their gates for their annual Fall for Cheekwood fundraiser. The event, in its 9th year, raises crucially important funds for the outreach programs to enable “school children and families from Middle Tennessee and beyond who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the wonder of Cheekwood.” Parents and their children happily explored the grounds of the botanical garden.

Co-chairs Colleen Bracken and Kayla Counts carried out the mission of a family-friendly day at Cheekwood flawlessly. As guests entered, they were greeted with the musical stylings of Will MacLean and Derek Pell. The sound of laughter filled the autumn air as children romped through the pumpkin houses while parents enjoyed sips of wine and cocktails along the path. The weather was perfect for the late afternoon hayride, and the master-level pumpkin carver was mesmerizing. There were plenty of memory-making points throughout the grounds. Small children enjoyed the dried beans and squash play area where they could fill buckets with beans and enjoy the hiss as they poured the beans out again. A particular favorite for the children was the cotton candy stop offering flavors of the flossy treat in either Birthday Cake or Pink Lemonade. Further along the path, children and parents took part in the temporary tattoo station, and everyone enjoyed a cardio workout with the potato sack races. After the races, guests enjoyed refreshments and took in the early evening air while listening to the bluegrass stylings of the band.

After the fun and games, the adults and their youthful counterparts made their way into the Frist Learning Center for a delicious dinner catered by Edley’s Bar-B-Que. After dinner, to everyone’s delight, guests were treated to a “Candy Bar” to enjoy at the end of the event or to take home.

BY JANET KURTZ PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL SCOTT EVANS PHOTOGRAPHY

Alexander Garza

Charlie and Jessica Boyd with Campbell Kylie and Nick Helms with Saylor

Co-chair Colleen Bracken with Eleanor, Lauren Carlson with Frances, Claire and Eloise