PARKERSBURG - The Tablescapes fundraiser for the Parkersburg Art Center on Thursday grossed about $20,000, an organizer said Friday.

"That's not bad for a Thursday night in Parkersburg, W.Va.," said Keith McClung, a co-chairman of the event.

Tablescapes featured 32 decorated tables in a variety of themes. A 33rd table that was sponsored by the art center was given away as a door prize to Bill and Kim Wolfe of Parkersburg.

The table that went for the most money at auction was decorated by Sue Broadwater, a real estate agent with Old Colony Realty in Parkersburg, McClung said. It sold for $2,200, he said.

Mary Riccobene and Jack Stewart got into a bidding war with Stewart winning, McClung said.

Broadwater's table was the smallest, but came with linens made by a local tailor and brunch for two, he said.

"That table went for $2,200 by the time it was all over," McClung said.

Riccobene, who runs the McDonough Foundation, was the successful bidder on the No. 2 table by Rhododendron Furniture and Design, which sold for $1,400.

The show raised more than $20,000, McClung said.

However, the art center will clear around $17,000 after expenses, Executive Director Abby Hayhurst said.

"It was fantastic," she said.

This was the second year for the event.

Last year, mostly women attended the event, Hayhurst said. This year, more men came and subsequently more money was spent and raised for the center, she said.

"Last year it was kind of a girly thing," Hayhurst said.

A decision has yet to be made whether Tablescapes will be held again next year or whether 2010 will be skipped and the event will be held the year after, Hayhurst said. Designers said they are ready for next year and already have ideas in mind, she said.

"This is definitely not the end of Tablescapes," she said.

The next big fundraisers at the art center are in October.

Purse Bingo will be held on Oct. 12 where purses worth at least $150 will be prizes.

"These aren't cheap knockoffs," Hayhurst said. "These are the real thing."

Next will be the pumpkin light fundraiser on Oct. 15 when jack-o-lanterns carved from foam pumpkins will be sold at auction, she said. As a special treat, the lights will be turned off during the auction and the art center will be lit only by the glow from the jack-o-lanterns.

"It's going to be neat," she said.