Contact: Amy Blaisdell Communications Director (760) 323-8250 Linda Gray “Christmas at Southfork Tree” to Headline 15th Annual Christmas Tree Lane Celebrity Live Auction, Dec. 4 at Hard Rock Palm Springs Nov. 23, 2015 Actress Linda Gray will join the City of Palm Springs at the Official Holiday Tree Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 3 and then she will head to the Hard Rock Hotel in in downtown the following night to join ACT for Multiple Sclerosis at their star-studded Celebrity Holiday Tree Live Auction Fundraiser, which returns to Palm Springs for a second successful year after 12 years down valley. The event, featuring a spectacular display of celebrity holiday trees by well known designers, is currently underway at the Hard Rock Palm Springs until Friday, Dec. 4, when a live auction party will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. Actress Ruta Lee, a Palm Springs resident and long-time supporter of ACT for MS will host with the help of CBS Local 2’s Patrick Evans leading the live auction. Holiday trees will be up for auction from well known local celebrities including Lee, Carol Channing, Fred (The Hammer) Williamson, Bella da Ball and many more. Gray’s spectacular holiday tree, dubbed “Christmas at Southfork,” will have a western theme, inspired by her long-running CBS television series “Dallas.” In addition, a Holiday Boutique featuring mini-trees and wreaths will open in advance of the live auction at 4 p.m.. All proceeds go to ACT for MS. The fundraiser, founded by the late Palm Springs entertainment and society journalist Gloria Greer in partnership with Merv Griffin, has become a much loved signature holiday event in the city. “With excitement echoing around the world about the new Hard Rock Palm Springs and the city it is located, we are thrilled Christmas Tree Lane will return to Palm Springs for a second year,” said event chairwoman Linda Williamson. In fact, Williamson notes Christmas Tree Lane has been a desert holiday tradition since Griffin first asked his celebrity friends to allow top designers to create Christmas trees themed after them at his Merv Griffin Hotel, now the Parker Palm Springs, and later sold them at live auction with the proceeds benefitting ACT for MS. “The City of Palm Springs and the Hard Rock Hotel are thrilled to host Christmas Tree Lane in support of ACT for MS,” said Mary Jo Ginther, Director of the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism. “I encourage everyone in the Coachella Valley and beyond to visit downtown Palm Springs over the next week and check out these one-of-a-kind designer trees – and perhaps even take one home.” VIP tickets are $100, premiere seating is $75 and regular seating is $50. Advanced reservations are required. For tickets, visit www.actforms.org. .