Islanders will don their finest faux-fashion duds, comfy pajamas and campy costumes for Vashon Film Society’s annual Oscar Night set for this Sunday at Vashon Theatre.

The community gathering to view the Academy Awards is a longtime tradition on the Island — this year marks the 14th time the Oscar party has been held at the theater.

As usual, this year’s party will feature limo rides around the block in front of the theater, a red carpet and a telecast of the entire Oscar ceremonies on the big screen.

There will also be a buffet of catered food and drink and 10 costume contests held during the commercial breaks in the ceremonies.

More than 30 local businesses and the Vashon Rotary Foundation have stepped up to donate prizes and other goods for the party.

The event has become such a fixure on the local scene that it has caught the attention of the Seattle press.

When the Seattle Weekly named Vashon Theatre the Best Rural Movie Theatre in 2010, one of the reasons cited for the paper’s choice was the perception that the theater had “something for everyone, a sentiment amplified by the fact that the theater also hosts … an Oscar Night party, replete with a red carpet and snazzily dressed revelers.”

Costume categories on Oscar Night include best-dressed child, best-dressed PJs, celebrity look-alike, the Cher award for the most outrageous costume, best-dressed teen and best dressed couple.

There is also a trivia contest and an award for the person who guesses the most Oscar prize winners.

Oscar Night takes place starting at 4 p.m.Sunday, Feb. 27, at Vashon Theater. Tickets, ranging from $10 to $30, are on sale at the theater, Island bookstores and www.brownpapertickets.com. All proceeds will go to providing scholarships to Vashon High School students. For more information about the event, visit www.vashonfilmsociety.org.

See page 6 for a commentary by Karen du Four des Champs about Oscar Night and its connection to the Vashon community.