By Brenda Evers

While football fans have been following the weekly play-off games that lead to the big title game, movie fans have been following the monthly award shows that signal the top contenders for the big Hollywood winners.

The first week of February leads to the 46th National Football League Super Bowl game on Sunday, February 5, where the New England Patriots and New York Giants will be fighting for the title, and millions of fans across the nation will be celebrating.

The last Sunday will wrap up with one more event: the 84th annual Academy Awards on February 26. Last year, New York Daily reporter Richard Huff called it, “the Super Bowl for women.”

Hollywood celebrities will be fighting for the top awards, as thousands of movie fans across the world will watch and celebrate.

Many would be surprised to hear that this Hollywood extravaganza has been running longer than the Super Bowl, but both produce the same high TV ratings and high priced commercials.

So what does that matter to Grand Junction?

Here in the Grand Valley, at least two groups of movie lovers started plans for this month’s big party before the announcement of the 130+ nominees.

River City Singles is hosting its second annual Academy party at the DoubleTree Hotel, located at 743 Horizon Drive, according to Jim Sanders, one of the co-founders of the over 50 social group.

“Like last year, we will have the traditional red carpet for guests to feel like the movie stars, and our leading man, Ed Haynes, will personally escort each lady to her table,” Sanders said.

Sanders said last year’s party had a cocktail party atmosphere, but plans have not yet been finalized for this year’s party.

Laura Mourning’s family and friends will welcome guests to her seventh Academy Awards Party.

“We don’t have a group name, but we have been organizing and partying since 2006,” Mourning said.

The barely 50-year-old laughed as she recalled, “Only six friends came to the first one. Everyone enjoyed wine, food, decorations, especially the red felt carpet and they voted for their choices before we watched the live presentations of the awards.“

After that modest beginning, the parties got bigger and more elaborate. In 2010, Mourning hosted about 50 people in her backyard where she had transformed an old parachute into a tent, complete with palm tree murals, twinkling lights, a giant TV screen, drinks and snacks while they were enjoying the awards program.

Last year, her daughter, Amelia Conner, hosted it at her house. Thirty people, dressed in formal attire walked in on the same red felt carpet and partied all night until “The King’s Speech” was named best movie of the year.

“I love movies: the excitement, the glamour, every thing surrounding their celebration of the best of the year,” Mourning said. “I love the movies, and I love to party. What better way to enjoy the Academy Awards?”

Millions around the world will tune in and party while watching either telecast: the football game or the Hollywood game. What other reasons would any one need in February to enjoy either “Super Bowl,” or both?