Southampton - If there was any argument as to when the Hamptons gets "hot" (Memorial Day Weekend, Fourth of July), the answer is most certainly now.

Ellen Scarborough, JR and Chuck Scarborough. (Rob Rich)

And while many see the Fourth as that event that marks the beginning of summer, for me, the season really starts the opening weekend of polo.

Not everyone on the East End enjoys going out to a nightclub or to a fancy benefit, but the Bridgehampton Polo field seems to be that place where worlds collide and you bump into people (albeit sweaty people) you haven't seen all summer. People of all ages and affiliations, united under a tent by a shared appreciation for this most quintessential of Hamptons sports, for famed equestrians (Nacho, Nic), for charity (South Fork Breast Cancer Coalition), for cocktails, and most importantly, for miniature cupcakes. The Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge kicked off the first of six matches this past unusually hot Saturday with the help of Hamptons Magazine, Polo Ralph Lauren, East Hampton Jewelry designer Susan Foster, the SWAGG lounge, where VIPs could preview the new mobile application, and with plenty of Patron, Smart Water, Pop Chips, Coca-Cola, Bertaud Belieu Wine, Jarlsberg cheese, Crumbs Cupcakes, and passed hors d'oeuvres. Pretty much anyone celebrated in the Hamptons (or on reality television) this weekend threw on their polo hats and getups and came by Blue Star Jet Field to stomp some divots and see and be seen, including Kourtney Kardashian & Scott Disick from "Keeping up with the Kardashians" (minus son Mason), another new mom, Bethenny Frankel from "Bethenny Getting Married?," Ramona Singer, Kelly Bensimon, Jill Zarin, and Countess Louann de Lesseps from "The Real Housewives of NYC," Caroline Manzo and Dina Manzo from "The Real Housewives of NJ," Star Jones, model Amber Rose, Jason Babin of the Tennessee Titans, and NBA All Star/Miami Heat newbie Chris Bosh.

Cheyne Beys, Daisy Platt and Heather McCauliff at Junior Committee gala for Southampton Hospital. (Blanche Williamson)

The Real Housewives (from NYC and NJ) also made a united appearance the previous night at Lily Pond for the Hamptons Social dinner series, hosted by Polo Star Nic Roldan, Shamin Abas, and the International Polo Club Palm Beach, to benefit the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Sampling the Philippe fare and vision vodka drinks on Friday were Dina Manzo, Caroline Manzo, Ramona Singer, and last week's dinner host Jill Zarin, who showcased a table she designed for the hosts at Hamptons Caterers Showcase, with specially decorated Polo cookies from Sugar Sugar and floral centerpieces by Dutch Pearls.

Also on Friday, Nancy and Peter Larsen and Bill Finneran invited Southampton Hospital benefactors to a President's Committee reception at "Las Casitas," a residence in Southampton, to thank them for their support of the Southampton Hospital's 52nd Annual Summer Party, An Enchanted Evening, which is scheduled for August 7. Last weekend, Junior Co-Chairs Stephanie Hessler, Ali Edwards, and Lauren Bush hosted a pre-gala reception for the Junior Committee at Stephanie's Southampton estate.

Russell Simmons, Jill and Bobby Zarin at Art for Life after party at Georgica. (Shadow PR)

On Saturday, partygoers weren't deterred by the heat. Singer Kat Deluna helped celebrity blogger Micah Jesse celebrate his birthday at Day & Night, a popular daytime brunch party at East Hampton Point, which hosted the 1st Red Carpet Charity Brunch & Auction with Hamptons Magazine and Russell Simmons last weekend to benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital, The Ronald McDonald House, and the Kenya Foundation. Nearby at Scoop Beach, Ann Caruso, Mary Alice Stephenson, Lucy Sykes and Kim Vernon hosted a cocktail party for red fabric-draped designer Joanne Salt, who debuted her new collection, JOSA Tulum. And even farther east, Cynthia Rowley hosted cocktails to celebrate the opening of "Drug Money Art" in the Shack in the Back at Cynthia Rowley Montauk.

"The Hills" star Kristin Cavallari at the Absolut Brooklyn BBQ at The Estate carnival. (Shadow PR)

Come Saturday evening, things were just heating up. Animal lovers gathered for Drinks & "Bites" at the Unconditional Love benefit for the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, which provides care for the welfare of animals and is committed to reducing the number of homeless pets. Enjoying drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and furry guests at the gorgeous oceanfront home of Rockets owners Liz Brown and Leslie Alexander were Honorary Chairpersons Bruce Weber and Nan Bush; Event Chairs Nancy Corzine, Andy Sabin, and Sandra McConnell; Charity Buzz Auction Chairs Jayne Young and April Gornik, and special host, "The View's" Joy Behar. In a comical speech, Chuck Scarborough accepted the "animal welfare" award on behalf of recipient Bernadette Peters, who is currently starring in "A Little Night Music" on Broadway.

Following the myriad of benefits on Saturday night, such as the 11th Annual Art For Life, Chefs and Champagne, Hamptons Designer Showhouse, and the 17th Annual Watermill Gala, many partygoers continued onto the nightclubs. 4AM DJ's Jus-Ske, Sinatra, Ani Quinn, & Orazio Rispo hosted a special night at Axe Lounge, where Chris Bosh and Amber Rose both partied this weekend. Also on Saturday, the Eldridge East at Bamboo restaurant held the Bullett Magazine Media launch, RdV East feted Zink Magazine, and Georgica was the site of the official Art For Life after party, where Rev Run rocked out on the mic for a lively set with Russell Simmons, Selita Ebanks, Jill Zarin, Caroline and Dina Manzo, actor Anthony Anderson, chef Todd English, and singer Maxwell, who all stayed hydrated in the packed place with Absolut cocktails and Smart Water.

Alexis Theodoracopulos and Kate Conroy at Junior Committe for Southampton Hospital. (Blanche Williamson)

The good times from the weekend kept on rolling, with both the Jaguar Diversity Affluence Brunch at Dockers, and the Rolls-Royce Brunch on Sunday. And on Monday, A Taste of One Kings Lane and Olivia Chantecaille, Juliet de Baubigny, Susan Dunlevy, Lisa Errico, Susan Feldman, Danielle Ganek, Alexa Hampton, Lisa Jackson, Celerie Kemble, Lucy Sykes Rellie, Andrea Stanford, and BJ Topol Blum hosted a luncheon in Sag Harbor for the Hampton Designer Showhouse, which benefits the Southampton Hospital and runs through September 5.

Also this week, Ramona Singer ate lunch with friends on Friday afternoon at 75 Main, where Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick had dinner with two other couples post-polo on Saturday night.

Ethan Hawke enjoyed mussels, BLTs, and club sandwiches with nine family members and friends on Thursday afternoon at Indian Wells Tavern. NASCAR racer Jeff Gordon stopped in for burgers and fish 'n chips with his wife and daughter there last Thursday.

Kathlean DeMonchey, Cassandra Seidenfi Lyster and Jean Shafiroff at Southampton Hospital President's Committee fete. (Blanche Williamson)

Nick & Toni's in East Hampton remains the ultimate star spotting eatery. Leelee Sobieski dined on whole fish in the front room with her fiancé, daughter Louisanna, and a friend last Tuesday. On Wednesday, Barefoot Contessa maven Ian Garten dined with friends in the front room. Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell sampled the pasta and a vegetable plate on Thursday. And on Friday, "Brothers & Sisters'" Patricia Wettig and Ken Olin came with friends, and Ron Perelman celebrated his daughter's birthday. Also recently, Alec Baldwin dined with six people, Candace Bergen ate al fresco with her husband, and nearby on the patio, Steven and Kate Spielberg enjoyed a family meal with the kids.

Last weekend, Mark Feuerstein from "Royal Pains" and his pregnant wife Dana ate dinner outside in the courtyard at Rowdy Hall, Cinema Society founder Andrew Saffir and Judy Licht dined with Jodi Della Femina and her family at Navy Beach, and both Billy Baldwin and comedian Jerry Seinfeld stopped into Serafina East Hampton and joked around amiably before taking some pizzas to go.

Real Housewives' Mario Singer, Dina Manzo, Carolina Manzo and owner Frank Cilione at Hamptons Social Series at Lily Pond. (Sunny Khalsa/PatrickMcMullan.com)

Also last weekend, former "Hills" Star Kristin Cavallari, MTV's Adrienne Ballon, "Gossip Girl's" Matthew Settle, and supermodel Selita Ebanks dropped by the Absolut Brooklyn BBQ at The Estate for Coney Island-themed carnival games, dunk tank, cotton candy, snow cones, BBQ buffet, and Absolut Brooklyn cocktails. SELF Magazine brought a chic crowd including Andrew Lauren, Lucy Danziger, Gigi Stone, and Laura McEwen to beach bar Surf Lodge in Montauk to celebrate Dylan's Candy Bar creator Dylan Lauren's new SELF Magazine column as "Candy Curator." On Shelter Island, the Shelter Art/Shelter Architecture collaborative art exhibit and open house displayed the work of Artist Antonio Murado and architecture of Morris Sato Studio, both for sale, and Little Flower Children and Family Services held an annual summer cocktail party at the Saltwater Grill in Westhampton Beach.

Joy Behar at Southampton Animal Shelter gala. (Rob Rich)

Next weekend, the events will be just as scorching. On Friday at Blue & Cream boutique, where Russell Simmons, Andrew Warren, and Richie Akiva previewed the Simon Spurr collection last week, designer Jamie Jo Harris will launch her Belle Coeur jewelry line. On Saturday, "Twilight" Star Ashley Greene will join Kelly Ripa, Donna Karan, and InStyle to co-host Super Saturday 13 at Nova's Ark Project in Water Mill. This daylong designer garage sale and kids carnival, featuring merchandise from over 200 designers, raised over $3.7 million for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund last year. Also on Saturday, Planned Parenthood will hold their Hudson Peconic Annual East End Benefit, a cocktail reception at the estate of Bumble and Bumble founders Michael and Andrea Gordon, to support PPHP medical services, education, and advocacy programs on the East End. And the BING Summer Concert series at Sole East continues with Singer/Songwriter Jenny Lewis.

From here on out, Hamptons weekends will be just as hot - but hopefully cooler.

Andy Sabin, Tommy Edwards, Rebecca Edwards, and Sally Fan at Southampton Animal Shelter event are all smiles. (Rob Rich)