A Royal Fun Time at One805LIVE!

For the second consecutive year the One805LIVE! fundraiser at Oscar winner Kevin Costner’s Carpinteria estate was by royal appointment with Montecito resident Prince Harry, who celebrated his 40th birthday last week, presenting an award to Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office helicopter pilot Loren Courtney.

The Duke of Sussex, a former chopper pilot himself in the British Army, joked: “I’m more at home behind the controls of a helicopter than on stage!”

King Charles III’s youngest son, sans former actress wife Meghan Markle, joined TV producer Tyler Perry for his 55th birthday celebrations at his six-bedroom Montecito mansion with near neighbor Oprah Winfrey and CBS morning news anchor Gayle King just 24 hours before his own milestone birthday which he celebrated with his family.

Montecito actor Rob Lowe, star of the Fox TV show 9-1-1: Lone Star, presented Heart of the Community Awards to local rocker Kenny Loggins, who was performing, and KLITE radio host Catherine Remak.

More than 3,000 guests descended on Costner’s oceanside home, arriving on shuttles for the mega bash which raised more than $1 million for all three First Responders groups – fire, police and the sheriff – purchasing much needed equipment, supporting public safety, and taking care of those who take care of us.

Costner even performed with his rock band Modern West to kick off the night which included singer Pink and Dallas Green as the folk duo You & Me, Alan Parsons, Al Stewart, Richard Marx, Alyssa Bonagura, Jordan Asher Huffman – singing an anthem he composed honoring first responders – Joe Bonamassa, Plastic Harpoons, the Santa Barbara Symphony, and of course Kenny, who came out of retirement to add his talents to the ever popular event, launched by Richard Weston-Smith and his vivacious wife, Kirsten.

Among the heaving horde of supporters were Eric and Nina Phillips, Rebecca Brand, John Palminteri, Allen and Anne Sides, Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey, Lisa Parsons, Peter and Kathryn Martin, Fred Brander, sheriff Bill Brown, Oscar Gutierrez, John Thyne III, Adam McKaig and Melissa Borders, Gretchen Lieff, Caroline Thompson, Penny Bianchi, Cameron Diaz, Alixe Mattingly, actor Jeff Bridges, and Janet Garufis.

After a few hiccoughs at last year’s event with parking and endless lines, all seemed to go smoothly with food and drinks delivered in timely fashion.

And how nice of Costner to tell guests: “You’re welcome to my backyard any time!”