The Oscars: From Grandstands to Grandstanding : People: The fans borrow a little glitter from the stars to grab a few moments of fame. Celebrities also get into the act with their own fashion statements.

It was the 62nd Academy Awards. Instead of a night of stars it was a night of a thousand little lights. Sure, the stars were there but they were overshadowed by the self-promoters. The little people who make this night possible used it as their forum to grab a few moments of fame.

Up in the grandstands, fans had been camping out since Friday night. They packed their coolers, sleeping bags and handmade signs. For Mame and Sandi it was their 21st year at the Academy Awards. Their handmade sign, the largest in the crowd, proclaimed: “Starting Our Third Decade With Oscar.”

Nine women in matching hand-painted T-shirts dubbed themselves the “Field of Dreams” Girls. In fluorescent green baseball caps, white baseball pants and their handcrafted T-shirts, they worked the crowd of paparazzi like politicians on the stump.

A few fans actually came to root for a movie. There was a sign, “Tandy Is Dandy,” crudely written on cardboard. A sign with sophisticated graphics, read “Hats Off to ‘Miss Daisy.’ ”

At 2:55 p.m. the first stretch limo pulled up in front of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and the crowd went wild, but it was only Leeza Gibbons, co-host of TV’s “Entertainment Tonight.” She posed and preened in her turquoise Bob Mackie teardrop-shaped decollette dress. She was a great warm-up act.

Gibbons had come a long way. Just last year she was on the other side of the ropes in her beaded dress and athletic shoes. She was just one of the signs of “ET’s” elevated status at the awards show. The other was their two-story command central platform situated smack dab across from the limo dropoff point. They had the best view of the red plush carpet inlaid with a huge Oscar sculpted in gold.

At 3:30 p.m. the limo parade began in earnest. One of the first to arrive was Spike Lee. He looked like a GQ fashion plate in a collar-less high-throated jacket with a brilliantly colored scrarf around his neck and a flat-brimmed felt hat.

Ron Kovic, co-nominee with Oliver Stone for “Born on the Fourth of July” screenplay adaptation, wore a tux and long white scarf around his neck. Also clinging to him were his wife, mother and father. He spent most of his time with the press thanking everyone for “this wonderful night.”

Julia Roberts, best supporting actress nominee for “Steel Magnolias,” arrived with new boyfriend Kiefer Sutherland. She wore a taupe-colored bias cut gown by Giorgio Armani that showed off the small tattoo on her left shoulder.

Pauline Collins, best actress nominee for “Shirley Valentine,” look positively radiant. When asked about her Oscar chances, she responded: “No chance--but I’m here for a great time.”

Jodie Foster, last year’s best actress Oscar winner who made a return engagement to present the best actor award this year, has cleaned up her act considerably. Twelve months ago she looked rather frumpy and disheveled in a blue strapless gown that kept succumbing to gravity’s pull. This year she looked very soignee in a black Armani silk suit with a white chiffon blouse.

Daniel Day-Lewis, nominated for his acting in “My Left Foot,” made one of the best fashion statements of the evening. In an Ewardian frock coat, with pegged trousers, floppy bow tie, cream-colored silk shirt and black velvet vest, he stopped and posed for pictures, but ignored any questions. He smiled beatifically, passing on any opportunity for self-promotion.