FRANKLIN, TENN. – The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, sold out the 53rd Annual Heritage Ball presented by Atmos Energy and Tractor Supply Company Foundation at Harlinsdale Farm on September 12. Meg and Tyler Borders served as Co-chairs of the Heritage Ball, Sondra Morris was the Honorary Chair and the Late Party Chairs were Cole Horner and Lauren Womack.
Heritage Foundation President and CEO Bari Beasley said, “I’m delighted that this year’s Heritage Ball sold out and we received an overwhelming response in bringing the ball back to Harlinsdale Farm. Our dedicated chairs, committed sponsors and participants made this event magical, while keeping the focus on celebrating and preserving our rich history in Williamson County for generations to come.”
As guests entered the historic equestrian grounds, Hillsboro Hounds members Sonja and Rob Esslinger greeted them on horseback. Rob wore a traditional red jacket, referred to as “pink,” denoting his fox hunting colors, while Sonja sported a traditional black jacket with her colors on her collar.
The cocktail party was held in the recently renovated barn and featured a history walk experience through the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County. In addition to multiple full bars on-site, Lipman Brothers and Gray’s on Main crafted two signature cocktails for the evening: the Main Street Reserve, a small-batch Old Fashioned made with Old Hickory Bourbon, and the Sandia en Fuego, a fresh, spicy tequila cocktail made with Cielo Tequila and watermelon.
The cocktail reception featured Official Jewelry Partner Diamond Cellar, where guests could enjoy an array of exceptional jewelry. The Official Automotive Partner Reiselman Motor Company also displayed the GMC Sierra 2500HD and a Ford F-250 for guests to experience.
Guests moved into the elegant evening tent, which was designed by Amos Gott of AmosEvents. The ambiance was gorgeous and timeless, with a nod to classic equestrian elegance. Flavor Catering brought their classic, colorful and flavorful cuisine to the evening, featuring chicory greens with Parker House rolls to start. The entrée was braised beef short ribs with red wine jus, roasted baby heirloom carrots with honey and coriander and creamy risotto with wilted spinach. The last course featured a lemon cream tart with candied lemon with meringue.
Former Heritage Foundation board member and longtime supporter Sondra Morris was recognized for her deep commitment to the mission of preservation and a transformative gift to the Heritage Ball, which includes an endowment component.
The Patron Award went to Laurie and Mark Sutton, who demonstrated a true spirit of community through their passion for rich history and their continued support of the Heritage Foundation.
The evening’s surprise guest performance came from nine-time Grammy-nominated, Christian and Gospel singer-songwriter Natalie Grant, accompanied by pianist Bernie Herms. She is one of the most decorated voices in her genre, having won the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Award for Female Vocalist of the Year four years in a row. Grant captivated the audience with her powerhouse vocals and a heartfelt delivery that filled the barn.
The Atlanta Allstars hit the stage with their outstanding cast of superb musicians and vocalists, bringing the guests to their feet on the dance floor for hours.
Tennessee Equine Hospital sponsored The Late Party, where the next generation of preservationists enjoyed music, late-night bites, cocktails, and dancing.
Ralene DeBord, Auction Chair, said, “The evening was filled with excitement and feverish bidding, from the coveted Pappy Van Winkle rare bourbon package and luxurious spa experiences provided by NexGen Aesthetic Institute to extraordinary travel packages made complete with round-trip transportation courtesy of Luxury Transportation Concierge Service. Guests were equally eager to secure instant-purchase tickets to an exclusive private luncheon with Senator Lamar Alexander, making the auction an unforgettable celebration of generosity, one-of-a-kind experiences and spirited giving.”
For more information about the Heritage Foundation and additional preservation projects, visit www.WilliamsonHeritage.org.
53rd Annual Heritage Ball Photo Gallery
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Photos by Jeremy Poland
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ABOUT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY
Since 1967, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County has been dedicated to preserving Williamson County’s architectural, geographic and cultural heritage as well as promoting the ongoing revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. Thanks to its visionary stewardship and the support of donors throughout the community, notable projects include The Franklin Theatre, Roper’s Knob, parts of the Franklin battlefield and the Old, Old Jail. Events and festivals produced by the Heritage Foundation, such as Main Street Festival, the Heritage Ball, PumpkinFest and Dickens of a Christmas, bring an estimated 300,000+ locals and visitors to downtown Franklin each year, which creates more than a $10 million economic impact annually. The Heritage Foundation owns and operates The Franklin Theatre, Downtown Franklin Association, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens, and the Moore-Morris History & Culture Center. For more information about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.williamsonheritage.org.
