This weekend you can go to a fancy restaurant and enjoy a meal and a nice bottle of wine - or you can attend the 12th annual Run for the Roses Wine and Beer Tasting and sample many different kinds of wine while enjoying food from nine of Moore County's best restaurants - all while listening to live music and raising money for Sandhills Children's Center.

The benefit is scheduled for Friday, April 29, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Fair Barn in the village of Pinehurst.

The entire evening and all its tempting treats costs $55 per person for general -admission or $75 for premium admission to the Jockey Club and is made possible by Kober Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors LLC.

John Kober and Chip Hasty, of Kober Investment Group, have been sponsors of the wine tasting since the first event held in 1999.

"We are very proud to have been associated with this event from its beginning," says Kober. "It has become the premier event of its kind in the community."

There will be an assortment of selections from various Californian and European wineries provided by Mutual Distributing Co. and hosted by Peter Zahran. Ticketholders can enjoy foods prepared by favorite local chefs from Ashten's, The Bell Tree Tavern, Chef Warren's, Elliott's on Linden, Goldie's Gourmet, Little River Golf and Resort, The Market Place, Mitchells Catering and Events, Rhett's Personal Chef and Catering and Sly Fox Pub.

"The support of the local restaurants and the ambience of the Fair Barn create a very enjoyable atmosphere," says Hasty. "I attend every year and am continually surprised by how much the attendees enjoy the event."

New this year will be beer tastings in the Beer Garden, hosted by Elliott's on Linden, featuring American craft brews such as India Pale Ale, pilsner, stout, Double India Pale Ale and amber; local jazz musicians, The Court Stewart Band; a Kentucky Derby-themed hat contest; and a photo booth to capture memories of the evening.

"Every year just before the Kentucky Derby, wine lovers gather at the Fair Barn and it feels like it's time to roll out the roses," says Kathy Desmond, director of development for Sandhills Children's Center. "The Run for the Roses has achieved premiere social event status. This time-honored tradition is spring's rite of passage for residents of the Sandhills area. It is an event to share with friends and business associates."

Throughout the history of Run for the Roses, many committed individuals and businesses have contributed significantly to its success as sponsors, guests and volunteers.

All proceeds from the wine-tasting benefit Sandhills Children's Center, a private, nonprofit developmental day school organization, whose mission is to provide services of the highest quality for children with and without special developmental needs, ages birth through 5.

The geographic range is far reaching in a four county area in south central North Carolina with two campuses located in Southern Pines and Rockingham.

The Children's Center provides specialized services to more than 350 children each year, some children with chronic illnesses, such as Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental delays.

"Currently, the cost of care per child with disabilities in our program exceeds $60,000 per year," says Melanie Gayle, CEO. "Private donations are essential in the continuity of care for our young students and enables Sandhills Children's Center to provide physical, occupational and speech therapy, class instruction by state certified teachers, transportation, meals and so much more."

Desmond adds that the event does double duty as both a fundraiser and a profile-raiser.

"More than 400 guests come to the wine-tasting," says Desmond. "It's one of our two big fundraisers, along with a golf outing and bocce tournament throughout the year, and it creates a lot of good will."

For more information about the Run for the Roses Wine and Beer Tasting, call Teresa Copper, special events coordinator, at (910) 692-3323 or visit www.sandhillschildrenscenter.org.