Friendship Center is hosting its 24th Annual Festival of Hearts, 12-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at Rosewood Miramar Beach Resort.

The pre-Valentine’s Day event features a sit-down lunch including wine, a no host bar, and live music by Strada Swing, a jazz swing band with a French twist. Participants are urged to dress in their favorite Derby attire — big hats, pastels and florals are all appropriate.

Since the first Festival of Hearts in 2000, the centerpiece of the event has been the Heart-art sold at silent auction, and created by local artists and celebrities, including Jeff Bridges, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tony Askew and Rod Lathim.

Provided with a blank papier-mâché heart, the creative “heart-ists” paint, sculpt and decorate in myriad ways to design unique works. The heart art preview sale started Jan. 13 and can be viewed HERE

The live auction, conducted by local auctioneer Geoff Green, will feature an in-town getaway with a seafood dinner for six of fresh local lobster, white sea bass, abalone, and hand-foraged mushrooms at a private home; a desert oasis getaway in Palm Springs, including some meals from landmark restaurants; and, a stay at the upscale Rosewood Miramar Beach with dinner for two at the Revere Room.

Fundraising from the event supports Friendship Center’s HEART (Help Elders At-Risk Today) program, subsidizing the cost of adult day services for low-income aging and dependent adults and their families.

Tickets are $155 each. Buy tickets at www.friendshipcentersb.org/foh2023 or call 805-969-0859 to purchase by phone with a credit card. Or mail a check to Friendship Center, 89 Eucalyptus Lane, Santa Barbara, CA 93108.

Major sponsors include: Karolyn Hanna, Al Anglin and Vangie Herrera, Channel Islands Post Acute, Epic Life Wealth Management, Sophia and Andriana Hohlbauch, David and Louise Borgatello, Easy Lift Transportation