Despite the fact it was raining cats and dogs Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m., the weather didn’t prevent over 400 people from attending the kick-off of the Pinehurst Business Guilds’ Dog Days of Summer Preview Party held at the Track’s Fair Barn May 20.

Sherry Mortenson, whose idea for the project to raise monies for the Guild, Sandhills Children Center and Animal Advocates of Moore County, was beaming all evening as people admired the unique art creations of 50 plus artists from the area.

Viewers were amazed by the variety of imaginative 53 fiberglass Labrador Retrievers, all decorated with different themes.

A judging by sculpturer DeDe McHam, Denise Baker of Sandhills Community College, Beth Garrison of The O’Neal School, and artist Jeanette Sheehan of Pinehurst was a difficult task, as they said all the entries were so unique and cleverly rendered.

“Best in Show” went to Sherry Samkus for her entry entitled “Tails Required”. Samkus was awarded a prize of $2,000 for her artistic efforts.

Mortenson will be busy placing all the dogs around the Village of Pinehurst as a public art exhibit that will run through the summer, ending with a public auction in September. Mortenson announced at the event that the bidding had officially begun with Mark Elliott’s opening bid of $1,000 for “Cosmo-Howl-Lick” by Forrest and Jeanne Kirk. All auction proceeds will go to the three non-profit organizations.