Oscar fans get the red-carpet treatment

As Veronica Elizabeth stepped onto the red carpet at the Alex Theatre on Sunday, she was immediately mobbed by "paparazzi" and a "fashion commentator" who stopped to ask her about the dress she was wearing.

The 15-year-old wore a yellow dress with lace and green Converse sneakers.

"I've had this dress for a couple of months so I thought I should dress it up with these shoes and make it a new trend," Veronica said.

Veronica was one of hundreds of guests who wore their best evening clothes and walked down the red carpet for the Alex Theatre's Academy Awards viewing party.

The Alex and the Set Decorators Society of America co-hosted the event.

It was the first time that the Alex Theatre partnered with the Set Decorators, said Elissa Glickman, spokesperson for the Alex Theatre.

"We did an Oscar party at the Alex two years ago and we thought it would be a wonderful chance to partner with people in the [set decorators] industry," Glickman said.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Set Decorators Society of America, she said.

The Oscar awards ceremony was broadcast live on the theater's movie screen.

Host Alex Borstein, known for her character "Ms. Swan" on Mad TV, entertained the audience during the show's commercials.

Before the start of the show, partygoers spoke to "reporters" and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and champagne.

As he made his way to the theater, Carl Kozlowski stopped to answer "reporters'" questions.

"They asked me about my date when I showed up with my best guy friend," he said.

Kozlowski, who wore black pants, shirt and hat with red-checkered shoes, was also asked what inspired his fashion choice.

"I said I wear all black so I don't look like the Goodyear blimp," Kozlowski joked.

Tom and Doreen Esposti, from England, were visiting their son and granddaughter in the area when they found out about the event through a friend who invited them to attend.

"Our friend has been friendly with the guy who sets the props up," Doreen Esposti said, referring to a member of the Set Decorators Society of America.

As the event unfolded, guests left their seats to help themselves to more food. Guests stepped out into the courtyard to get refills on drinks and stopped to watch the show on flat screen monitors.

Marc Stirdivant sampled mini-potatoes with garnish and sipped wine.

"We have come here to support the event," he said, adding that his wife, Jeanette, is on the board of directors of the Friends of the Alex.

Jayne Cabral also came to show her support. She was glad to watch the show on the big screen.

"It's really a great idea to get people together who don't get to go to the real Oscars," she said.