A limousine ride, photographers, a red carpet and even a man breathing fire greeted local VIPs outside Kiggins Theatre at what was likely the fanciest Oscars watch party in Vancouver on Sunday afternoon.
About 120 guests turned out for the party, which serves as a “wonderful showcase” for the theater and downtown, said Teresa Lawwill, community relations director at the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. It’s the third year the chamber has organized the Vancouver Goes Hollywood event.
“We try to take what’s going on in Hollywood and transplant that right here on Main Street,” Lawwill said, “and I think we do a pretty good job.”
Guests were whisked to the event in style, with a limo shuttling them from a nearby parking lot. Their arrivals were announced by Gary Bock, and they were welcomed by Kaleinani o ke Kukui representatives Casey Zike, 12, and Mahealani Mackenzie, 14. Farther down the red carpet, they gave their Academy Award predictions before a video camera, and their answers were broadcast live inside the theater.
After that, they posed for a photo on the red carpet and headed inside Kiggins, where a rum bar, appetizers and live Hawaiian music and dancers awaited.
In addition to the glitzy Hollywood atmosphere, event organizers added a paradise theme, Lawwill said. Swag bags were handed out by one of the event’s sponsors, roll-maker King’s Hawaiian, and South Pacific Rum Bar & Grill catered the party.
Every guest was made to feel like a star.
“I told you there would be celebrities here this evening,” said Bock as he announced the arrival of Vancouver City Councilwoman Anne McEnerny-Ogle and her date, “the first gentleman of Vancouver.”
But their stardom soon was overshadowed by Mr. and Mrs. Claus — the biggest celebrities of the event, as Bock called them.
“We love the red carpet of course, as you can tell,” Santa said as he did a twirl to show off his red suit. “I love that everybody gets treated special. That’s really important.”
Underneath the Santa suit was Phillip Verry, founder of TimeWithSanta.com. Dee Campbell, dressed in green, was there as Mrs. Claus. The duo appear together at events around the Portland metro area.
Another couple, Alan McGinnis and his girlfriend, Nikki Guillot, moved to Vancouver from Kansas City about a year ago. McGinnis, who works for Vancouver’s Downtown Association, said he came to the party because “I just thought it would be fun to be a part of it.”
And “I’m just along for the ride,” Guillot said. “We live downtown, so we thought we might as well come out and enjoy.”
The couple said they didn’t know too much about the Academy Awards this year, but they did see some of the films that were nominated for awards, including “Boyhood,” “The Theory of Everything” and “Inherent Vice.”
The event was a good excuse to get dressed up, have a glamorous evening and take home a photo to remember it all, Guillot said. “The pictures are really nice, and the sun is shining,” she added.
As Bock and other hosts asked guests about their Oscars predictions, it was clear that there weren’t many film buffs at the party. Some guessed the movie “Boyhood” would win for best picture. One man joked that he thought the Adam Sandler movie would win.
More important, Bock said, “it’s fun to dress up and have fun.” He doesn’t get many excuses to wear a tux in Vancouver, he added.
