Palm Springs International Film Festival red carpet sure to give local stargazers a thrill

PALM SPRINGS No suit?

No tie?

No problem.

For the 23rd year, Coachella Valley movie fans can see the stars arrive for the annual Palm Springs International Film Festival awards gala.

The key, however, is to get to the Palm Springs Convention Center early for tonight's festivities and be prepared to stake your claim.

Since Friday, an area has been cordoned off at the Jackie Lee Houston Plaza in front of the convention center specifically so about 250 members of the public to catch a glimpse of celebrities like George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Michelle Williams and Charlize Theron, who are all expected to walk the red carpet tonight.

Palm Springs Film Festival board secretary Sid Craig said the best spot is to get dead center, facing the carpet.

But Brian Wanzek, black-tie gala volunteer manager who has worked with the festival for a decade, assures stargazers that no matter where fans stand in that area, they will see every celebrity get out of their limo and go down that red carpet.

And a lot of the celebrities are fabulous and do walk over to greet the public with a hand shake, a hug and even kisses, Wanzek said.

Longtime gala volunteers, however, warn that there are no guarantees about those hugs and kisses as each actor has his or her own schedule to keep.

Still, Wanzek adds that waiting in that area for the night's festivities doesn't hurt if fanatics are up for it.

With the huge list of honorees and presenters, it's your best opportunity to see dozens and dozens of celebrities in one place, Wanzek said. The experience is a thrill.