Hanging in the Hamptons: Parties galore

Now that the Memorial Day weekend crush has passed, the parties and events that mark summer in the Hamptons are in full swing, whether you want to play in the sun or after dark:

1. The nonprofit Southampton Fresh Air Home (36 Barkers Island Rd., Southampton, 631-283-5847, sfah.org) is a residential camp for physically challenged youth. From 5 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, the organization is holding its 18th annual Decorators-Designers-Dealers Fundraiser Gala. It draws a well-to-do crowd from Manhattan, Connecticut, Palm Beach, Fla., and the Hamptons, and features various auctions and a coveted home furnishings and antiques sale. General admission tickets are $200 and grant a 6 p.m. entry, while a "preview" ticket for $300 allows for a 5 p.m. arrival.

2. Take it to the dance floor for a night with Latin band Mambo Loco Saturday at the Southampton Inn (91 Hill St., Southampton, 631- 283-6500). At 7 p.m., guests will receive a dance lesson, followed by an auction, Tex-Mex-style appetizers and free sombreros -- then stick around for dancing until 10 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door, with all proceeds going to benefit free dance, yoga and exercise classes for those with Parkinson's disease and HIV/AIDS.

3. If the idea of unlimited wine, beer and soda sounds like a good place to start on a Saturday afternoon, the Hampton Bays Beautification Association -- the group responsible for much of the hamlet's aesthetic scenery -- is holding its annual garden party at Tide Runner's (7 North Rd., Hampton Bays) at 2 p.m. Tickets are $40 and will include a light buffet and hors d'oeuvres plus live music from the Doug Dwyer Band. Tickets will be sold for a Chinese auction. Call 631-594-1381 or visit hbba.net for more information.

4. Love Neptune's but feel you're past the appropriate age range? Think again -- every Sunday starting at noon, the club transforms into The Sandbar (70 Dune Rd., Quogue, 631-653-8737, neptunebeach club.net), where you have to be at least 28 to get in. DJs will spin, reggae bands will play, and you can even dance in the sand -- without fear of being surrounded by whippersnappers. Usually no cover, with certain days possibly going for no more than $5.