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In planning an Oscar party, you can go extravagant or you can stick to the bare minimum.

Beth Herschman plans to watch the 79th Annual Academy Awards in style Sunday, donning gloves, high-heeled shoes and sparkling jewels.

Nothing unusual - except she won't be wearing anything else.

Herschman is a member of Roadrunner Naturists, a nudist group based in central New Mexico that has been around for more than 25 years.

The group, which has about 70 members, has been having Oscar parties for the past few years, said membership director Yvonne Smith.

Attendees are encouraged to "come undressed to the nines," sporting accessories such as gloves, pearls, cummerbunds and ties along with a natural look that suits the event.

"Even the Oscar guy is naked," Smith said.

The event is clothing-optional, but Smith said whoever comes clothed usually feels out of place and is undressed 10 minutes into the party.

"(The party) is just an excuse to socialize, have a nice potluck and eat some food," Smith said.

The group tries to have an event for every holiday along with crazy hat parties, Halloween parties, Super Bowl parties and game nights.

On the other end of the extravagance spectrum, the College of Santa Fe is rolling out the red carpet for its guests.

Marcia Sullivan, vice president for institutional advancement at the college, said this year's event will look a little bit like Hollywood.

Interviewers will greet guests as they walk a red carpet sporting their formal attire, with the entries broadcast on big screens in the dining area.

Guests are encouraged to wear tuxedos and floor-length ball gowns.

"Because this is Santa Fe, we'll see some men in jeans, bolo ties and cowboy hats," Sullivan said.

Some students will come in costume dressed like different Oscar nominees, Sullivan said.

The 16th annual event, held at the college's tennis center, raises funds for student scholarships.

Piano music, round tables garnished with red roses and a chocolate Oscar at each place setting will set the mood.

Both parties will have contests to see who picks the most Oscar winners.

The winner at the Roadrunner Naturists party will choose between T-shirts that say "Barefoot all over" and "I'm completely nude under my clothes."

Smith said the prize is kind of funny for a nudist group, but it's not a contradiction.

"We're not naked all the time," Smith said. "We have to go to the grocery store and places like that, too."

The prize for the College of Santa Fe is $500, with Oscar ballots going for $10.

"It ends up serving as another way to raise money," Sullivan said.

About 470 guests are expected to attend the College of Santa Fe's event. Roadrunner Naturists expect about 25.

Smith said the Oscar party is more enjoyable and liberating when you're unclothed.

"It's about being accepted for who and what you are. There's no pretentiousness," she said.

While that might be true, club-member Herschman acknowledges that there's really one thing that makes watching the Oscars so alluring.

"Everybody loves the clothes," she said.