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Photo: Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

Ricardo Laguna attends the Pinkberry opening at Crystals in CityCenter on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

Jeff Timmons and his son attend the Pinkberry opening at Crystals in CityCenter on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012.

Top tart frozen yogurt brand Pinkberry celebrated its debut in Las Vegas with a public and VIP grand opening at its Crystals in CityCenter outlet Thursday with free froyo from 5 to 8 p.m. and a private party at the art gallery (oddly minus any art!) at nearby Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas.

The line was out the door and approximately 40 strong after 6 p.m. for the complimentary frozen treats. At the VIP party steps away, guests enjoyed a froyo bar with toppings; passed trays of pomegranate froyo cups with chocolate shavings and blueberries, mango froyo cups with mango and coconut and vanilla froyo cups with small chocolate balls and strawberries (this was the only one I didn’t sample -- bad journalist, bad!); a cocktail made with Pinkberry (it was refreshing and delicious); and Veuve Clicquot (ditto).

Party guests included 98 Degrees founder and singer -- and recent Green Valley Ranch headliner -- Jeff Timmons and his son in adorable matching pink T-shirts, BMX and MTV reality TV star Ricardo Laguna (who holds froyo trays well) and GVR headliner singer and “America’s Got Talent” winner Michael Grimm in his trademark fedora. The swag bag included Pinkberry breath mints, a white chocolate lollipop and pink gumballs.

Thanks to contributing photographer Tom Donoghue for his fun photo gallery. So now it’s Pinkberry vs. Yogurtland vs. U-Swirl in town -- who’s tops? (This journalist has always loved tart in his froyo, yo.) Pinkberry, with more than 200 locations worldwide, plans to open more stores in Las Vegas.

Don Chareunsy is editor of VegasDeLuxe.com and senior editor, arts and entertainment, of LasVegasSun.com.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.