Weekend event picks: Dog Days of Summer Hot Dog Cook-off, Sandblast & more

Summer's in full swing this weekend with food and shore events alike. Plan your hangouts accordingly.

Philadelphia's World TeamTennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms kick off a series of home matches at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 16 at the Pavilion at Villanova University (Dundale and North Roads). Thursday's tickets are going for only $10 as a part of their Retro Night promotion and all fans will walk away with a '70s-inspired gift. On Friday, July 17's match, also at 7 p.m., celebrate mascot Nettie King's birthday — and kids (the first 250 of them) get a gift (a junior tennis racket). The Freedoms are back at home on Sunday, July 19 for another 7 p.m. match.

Thirteen's your lucky number in Atlantic City this weekend. Over the course of Friday, July 17, Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, 13 lavish parties at hot spots throughout Atlantic City will have you dancing (and maybe even skinny-dipping) all weekend long for Sandblast. From a 10 p.m. kickoff party at the Borgata (1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City) on Friday to a performance from Margaret Cho — also at the Borgata — on Saturday, the entire weekend is packed to the max.

Athletic types should plan to head to Wildwood this weekend. A slew of beach-bound sporting events are set for Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19. There's a 5-on-5 beach lacrosse tournament over the course of the two days, beach hockey, a series of field events and a timed mile run. All contests take place on the beach at Schellenger Avenue in Wildwood.

Also in Wildwood is a daylong celebration of crustaceans on Saturday, July 28. Fill up on blue claw crabs, grab a beer in the beer garden, and listen to live tunes from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. outside of the Ice House Restaurant (4415 Park Blvd., Wildwood).

These aren't your average hot dogs. Top Philly eateries convene under the Headhouse Square Shambles (200 Pine St.) on Saturday, July 18 to whip up their top dogs for the masses to consume en masse for the Dog Days of Summer Hot Dog Cook-off. Wash it all down with Victory beers and fruit ice pops for the complete balanced meal. The whole thing goes down from noon until 4 p.m.

If "salsa," "bachata" and "merengue" aren't exactly a part of your vocabulary, give them a spin at a 1:30 p.m. beginners Latin dance class on Saturday, July 18 at the Market and Shops at Comcast Center (1701 JFK Blvd.). No partner necessary!

You had a couple of weeks to recover from celebrating our own Independence Day, now make a toast to Belgian Independence Day at the South Street Pop-Up Beer Garden (1438 South St.) on Sunday, July 19. Belgian breweries Duvel Moortgat and Ommegang will provide the beers from noon until 10 p.m. Selections include Hennepin, Rare vos, La Chouffe and a limited release, Ommegang Belgian Independence Day.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.