Hampton Habitues

Happy Labor Day everyone. What a spectacular season we’ve had! From breaking news to big-money benefits, we’ve seen quite a lot this summer.

And even as our close-knit community changes as dramatically as the ebb and flow of the tide every summertime, one thing remains constant from year to year. After all, it wouldn’t be Labor Day on the East End without the Hampton Classic.

This year’s competition, the 43rd annual, runs from Sunday, August 26, through Sunday, September 2. As always, the world-class event is open to horses and riders of all ages and abilities, from children’s leadline all the way up to Olympic-caliber show jumping. Where else can one catch everyone from veteran riders like Georgina Bloomberg and Jimmy Torano to the wee ones who are just getting started?

Celebrity spotting at the Classic is nearly as legendary as the horsemanship. Past Grand Prix attendees that we’ve spied with our very own eyes include: Madonna, Sofia Vergara, Jerry Seinfeld, Jimmy Fallon, Jennifer Lopez, Jon Bon Jovi, Brooke Shields, Billy Joel, and Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen to name a few.

Speaking of the permanent Hamptons firmament, we’ve got to give it up for Peter Marino, who recently made public his intentions to buy the former Rogers Memorial Library building on Jobs Lane in Southampton. The architect, art collector and author announced that he will turn the circa-1895 Victorian Gothic into the Peter Marino Art Foundation, which will feature a permanent public exhibition of works from his personal collection, as well as limited curated shows and educational programming. Cheers to that!

While we’re handing out huzzahs, let’s include our East End-based and Hamptons habitué Emmy nominees. Congratulations to Alec Baldwin, nominated for Best Comedy Supporting Actor for “Saturday Night Live;” Kate McKinnon, Laurie Metcalf and Megan Mullally for Best Comedy Supporting Actress for “Saturday Night Live,“ “Roseanne” and “Will and Grace;” and Edie Falco for Best Movie/Mini Actress for “The Menendez Murders.”

Montauk’s Colin Jost will serve as the evening’s co-host, along with his “Weekend Update” co-anchor Michael Che from “Saturday Night Live,” for the 70th annual awards show on September 17. Legendary “SNL” producer Lorne Michaels, who owns a home in Amagansett, will produce this year’s show.

There’s another star-studded event with serious Hamptons talent that’s become quite the tradition—but this one’s super exclusive and unfortunately not televised. It’s the annual Apollo in the Hamptons benefit, hosted by Ron Perelman at his East Hampton home, “The Creeks.” Held earlier this month, the A Night of Legends-themed fundraiser featured performances by Sting, Shaggy, Pharrell Williams and the Roots. That is one hot ticket!

Alas, though most might not get inside the gates at Perelman’s house (at least not without a signed confidentiality agreement), there are plenty of opportunities out here for regular folks to see some of their stage idols, and without shelling out a few thousand bucks to boot. For example, the Killers just played The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett last month. And you never know who will end up on that stage, including Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, such as Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffet, Jon Bon Jovi and Paul Simon, who all happen to have homes here.

Speaking of local legends, we’ve got some serious sports heroes right here in our midst. Sure, there are a number of pro athletes, but right now nobody is hotter than the Bridgehampton Killer Bees. Members of that high school basketball team, who have been memorialized eponymously in film. were feted once again earlier this month by the Hamptons International Film Festival. The event, held at Bridgehampton High School, brought out the crowds, and film producer Shaquille O’Neal too. That’s some serious buzz!