GATLINBURG – Former Broadway performer Lee Lofton will headline the Gatlinburg Festival of Trees “Grace” Luncheon this month at the Mills Conference Center.

This year’s annual event, scheduled for November 24, has been named in memory of Grace Bales Barker. Gatlinburg Inn Owner Wilma Maples, who is the sponsor for the luncheon, named it for Barker, wanting to honor her treasured long-time assistant. A special Christmas tree will be on display at the luncheon and the Festival of Trees with handmade ornaments by Barker. 
           

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Smoky Mountain Area Rescue Ministries.
           

Lofton, who is now a local State Farm agent, will be accompanied by Karen Hill of Sevierville. He and his wife, Meredith have lived here for approximately three years after residing in New York City.
           

The pair were professional actors pursuing a career in musical theatre when they met performing in “The Secret Garden” in Philadelphia. They were later paired in the lead roles of “Stephen Foster the Musical” and again in “The Secret Garden.”

Lofton received his Bachelors of Music from Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., and his Masters of Music in vocal performance from Indiana University, where he also served as an associate instructor.

After performing several operas including “The Magic Flute, Cosi Fan Tutte” in Rome, Italy, Lofton gained agent representation and moved to New York City where he switched to classical musical theatre full time. Lee has sung the leads in “Carnival,” “South Pacific,” “The King and I,” and “The Secret Garden,” among others. His roles have taken him to Germany, Japan, Italy and throughout the U.S. 
           

His knowledge of investments and his organizational skills led to the State Farm opportunity, and although he has and will always have a love for performing, his focus is now solely on making a life-long home here in the Smoky Mountains. He is looking forward to the birth of his first son, Creed Baron Lofton in late December.
            

After the luncheon, guests will be led through the Festival of Trees by a surprise guest. 
Tickets to the event are $25 and can be purchased at the Smoky Mountain Rescue Ministry offices, Sevier County Bank in Gatlinburg and from SMARM board members. The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday November 24.

For more information please call the SMARM office at 908-3153 or check out the following Web sites: www.smarm.org and www.gatlinburgfestivaloftrees.com.