Southampton - Every Memorial Day Weekend, without fail, people will try to tell you the Hamptons is "over." That it will never live up to its former glory. That the weather is still too unseasonable (with showers looming, and insufficient cabs and heat lamps and coat checks). That the "new" (read: remodeled and renamed) restaurants and nightclubs reopening haven't yet worked out the kinks, or worse still, that nothing has really changed at all.

Hamptons Magazine had a kick-off party.

I've spent many a Memorial Day shivering at garden parties that the weather didn't really call for (and we didn't really dress for). Paying too much money for too little food at new hot spots garnering far too much hype. Scouring events for the hors d'oeuvres or gift bags overlooked in the wake of a suffering economy. And finally, heading back to the city prematurely with the shared sentiment that the Hamptons doesn't get good until Fourth of July.

Not so this weekend. For the first time in years, for the first time since the economy faltered, the Hamptons kicked off in a manner that felt very Fourth-of-July-esque. Fire Marshals shut down club doors, restaurants and hotels couldn't accommodate last-minute walk-ins, cops perused overcrowded streets, and there were gift bags and hors d'oeuvres aplenty. Hamptons 2010 isn't "over" in the least - it's just beginning.

As in previous years, the magazines hosted many of the memorable Memorial Day fetes.

On Saturday, Social Life led off the weekend with a classy cocktail reception sponsored by Porsche Design, once again at the magazine's Water Mill estate. Publisher Justin Mitchell and Editor-In-Chief Devorah Rose, donning an elegant purple Rafael Cennamo dress, entertained a fashionable crowd and celebrated Cover Stars Sara Canning ("Vampire Diaries") and Matt Lanter ("90210"), "two fresh faces that relay a remarkable combination of innocence and optimism as they eagerly embrace their own bright futures," touted Rose in the May issue. Tunes from DJ Marvilous, snacks from Elegant Affairs and WannaHavaCookie, and a wide assortment of local wines kept party goers fueled for hours and allayed any fears of an anticipated storm. Enjoying the festivities were fashion designer Anait Bian, Dr. Robert Grant, Social Life columnist Rachel Heller, publicist Marie Assante, Star Vodka's Charles Ferri, Ty Ku ambassador Tara Fougner, Coralie Charriol Paul, and Elegant Affairs' Andrea Correale.

Justin Mitchell, Sara Canning and Matt Lanter at Social Life party. (Jerritt Clark)

Along with Cover Star Mariska Hargitay, Hamptons Magazine's Jason Binn and wife Haley Binn welcomed familiar faces and loyal supporters into the backyard of their bright, tented Southampton home on Sunday. Trays of champagne, Absolut concoctions, a line-up of notable Hamptons photographers (Rob Rich, Jerritt Clark, and John Roca) and a Ferrari stationed at the entrance reminded guests they were stepping inside one of the more coveted annual Memorial Day events. Inside, the very Hamptonites who provide the magazine's content (and the requisite gaggle of Housewives) enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres by Elegant affairs, Smart Water, and lauding speeches from the gracious host. Calling attention to the front, Jason Binn took command of the microphone and thanked his staff, including publisher Debra Halpert and actress Mariska, whose cover story credits her ability to juggle being an actress, mother, charity founder, and Hamptons homeowner. Lending their support to the event were Hamptons Magazine devotees Beth Ostrosky Stern, Star Jones, Kyle McLaughlin, a majority of the "Real Housewives of New York City" cast, including Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Kelly Bensimon, Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen, Ramona Singer and Mario Singer, and Hamptons mainstays Richard Johnson, Sessa Von Richtofen, Rosanna Scotto, Niche Media's Joanna Tucker, James Goll, Jared Epstein, Shawn Sachs, and Gen Art's Ian Gerard.

Anita Gohari, Leila Nejad, Jessica Penman, Jasmin Rosemberg, and Tara Fougner at Hamptons Magazine party.

The AXE Lounge at DUNE, formerly home to famous nightclub Jet East and now helmed by Paige Management Group's Matt Shendell, Brian Mazza, Matt Moncada, and Amanda Mitchell, Mike Heller of Talent Resources, Noah Tepperberg of Strategic Group, and Zev Norotsky of Get There PR, proved once again to be the unrivaled hot spot in Southampton. Those lucky enough to make it through the doors this weekend (particularly on Saturday night) got to rage to music by legendary DJ Jus Ske of 4AM, DJ Berrie and DJ Tanner alongside heartthrob Bryan Greenberg of "How to Make It In America," High Society socialite Tinsley Mortimer, and Julio Eglasias, Jr.. Other nightlife notables present were Talent Manager Adam Lublin, Dave Bloch, Parry Lee, and Mike Zandman. Next week promises to be just as busy, with music by DJ Phresh & The Chainsmokers on Friday and Nick Cohen and Sam French on Saturday.

Still, in spite of the thriving clubs and revived event scene, my favorite part of the weekend was probably spent at low-key barbeques and pool parties with friends. Before we debated whether to change outfits for or after party #1, and if heels or flats were most appropriate for party #3; before we ran out of gas and energy and phone service. When we were just sitting around doing nothing, hidden away in a remote part of Sag Harbor where no one could find us, enjoying the simple pleasures only a small town can offer. When the Hamptons felt as it always did - like nothing had really changed at all.