Field Guide to Sand Blast 2014

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G Philly will be down in Atlantic City this weekend to soak up all the beach, booze and boys at the annual Sand Blast Weekend. In anticipation of the party’s first go-round in Atlantic City, we’ve put together this field guide to help you get the most out of your gay (and lesbian!) down-the-shore frolics.

Friday

The Kick Off Party is beginning the weekend’s festivities on top of the beautiful boutique Chelsea Hotel. With DJs Mick Hall and Pornstar, this is a great chance to settle in with friends (guys and girls) over a few cocktails and the sunset. Later—with a good dose of liquid courage—make your way over to the host hotel, Claridge, for the Urge Underwear Party that begins at midnight. With celebs from Xtube, and a “check your clothes at the door” policy,” you know things are bound to get dirty.

Saturday

Get up early and ease into your morning with yoga on the beach. All levels are welcome for this 7:30 a.m. event on the Sand Blast dancefloor at California Avenue. Nothing like a good down dog against the backdrop of the rising sun.

At 11:30 a.m., Philadelphia’s own Brittany Lynn is hosting the third annual Miss D’America Drag Race and Handbag Toss, where drag queens actually race down the beach at California Avenue. If that’s not your bag, check out the Gay Volleyball Social Games on the beach between Revel and Showboat for some spike-and-bump action.

The weekend’s main event, the Sand Blast Beach Party, begins at Bungalow Beach at noon with DJ Joe Gauthereux spinning. With a massive dancefloor smack in the middle of the beach, imagine the scene as if Voyeur and North Shore Beach Club had a baby. Afterward, take in the sunset (again) on top of the Chelsea Hotel. Then, the boys can hop over to Resorts for the all-night rager Deep Blue, with DJ Phil Romano and Eddie Martinez, while the girls party the White Party at Mixx in the Borgata.

Sunday

On Sunday, bring last night’s trick to the pool at Harrah’s for an all-day Rip Tide pool party. At 4:00 p.m., the pool transforms into a boy’s Tea Dance with DJ Brett Henrichsen. The ladies have a busy day of activities planned, with a women’s gaming competition taking place at Borgata at the same time a tea dance gets popping at mur.mur night club.

With all this non-stop partying, you’re going to have to find some time to fuel up. (And no, I’m not just talking about liquid fuel.) For lunch, try out Harry’s Oyster Bar for spectacular seafood, Little Saigon for amazing Vietnamese, or Tony Boloney’s for “Atlantic City Indigenous Pizza, Award Winning Subs & Badass Grub.” For dinner, check out Philly transplants Amada or Buddhakan, or celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s Steak at the Borgata.