Dan's Papers - July 18, 2008 - Three (more) Reasons to Shop in the Hamptons

La Rock and Theory and Betsey Johnson, oh my! That's right, on July 26, the Hamptons will be invaded by some of the world's best designers and hundreds of credit-card-wielding bargain hunters for the 11th annual Super Saturday, benefiting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Ticket holders will gather at Nova's Ark Project in Water Mill to experience what's been dubbed the "Rolls Royce of Garage Sales," an event dedicated to shopping, snacking and saving lives. Though there are countless charitable events that take place in the Hamptons, here are a few reasons to round up your fellow shopaholics and step out for a good cause...

Reason 1: The Sale. Super Saturday features seasonal merchandise from over 200 top designers discounted by at least 30-50 percent off retail prices. From apparel and accessories to fancy vacuum cleaners and baby strollers, there is something for everyone on your shopping list (and plenty for yourself, as well) among the hundreds of booths set up. After all, where else can you score a $3,000 Vera Wang gown for 50 bucks?

Reason 2: The Cause. If there is such a thing as guilt-free shopping, this is it! The event proceeds go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, an organization founded in 1994 to fund research to find a method of early detection and, ultimately, a cure for ovarian cancer. Last year's event raised close to $3 million for the fund, and this year's is expected to break that record.

Reason 3: The People Watching. The event is hosted by TV personality Kelly Ripa, underwritten by Donna Karan and always filled with stars like Mandy Moore, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Edie Falco and Lorraine Bracco. In fact, the only thing better than gawking at all the bold-faced names is watching a group of heel-clad Hamptonites elbow each other for a chance at a half-priced Louis Vuitton.

Though shopping is the main attraction, Super Saturday wouldn't be so super if guests had to worry about impatient children or unhappy spouses. Thanks to a carnival including rides, games and prizes, your kids won't even notice when you spend their college accounts on the latest from Michael Kors and Carolina Herrera. Meanwhile, adults who have already shopped and dropped can enjoy the full bar and gourmet lunch with scrumptious desserts, snag a complimentary manicure, snap a professional photo courtesy of sponsor In Style magazine, or even get their fortunes read.

The event begins at noon with an exclusive VIP shopping hour (which pays off in handbags and coveted size-seven Ferragamos), and then opens to general ticket holders at 1 p.m. Ticket packages vary from $450 for an individual, and up to $50,000 for Super Benefactors, who receive 40 adult preview tickets, four reserved tables for 10, VIP parking, a $1,500 certificate to spend at the sale and recognition from the OCRF. And even if you can't make the event you can still participate, now that Super Saturday has collaborated with QVC to bring viewers at home the same great discounts. Tune into QVC on the day of the event from 2-4 p.m. EST for "QVC Presents Super Saturday Live," where you can go on a shopping spree from the comfort of your own living room.

Buy your tickets online at www.ocrf.org, or call Robin Kellenberger at London Misher PR at 212-759-2800 to purchase tickets by phone.