HOLLYWOOD — After the Academy Awards ceremony ends, the stars bounce from party to party.

Anything can happen. If we’re lucky, we might run into a star in a hotel lobby. If we’re really lucky, we might even get the chance to hold their new gold statue.

A look back, then, at one memorable post-Oscars evening:

The real fun begins right after the Governor’s Ball, the annual party following the show at the Kodak Theatre.

First stop is the Mercedes-Benz party at the flashy Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. The luxury cars that line the way to the entrance offer a few hints at some of the celebs expected to attend, a list that includes Marion Cotillard, Diddy, Mickey Rourke, Tina Fey and Robert Pattinson. Lindsay Lohan also stopped by to join DJ girlfriend Samantha Ronson, who was manning the turntables at the event.

Lohan, who seems to be getting skinnier by the day, wore a white dress and a fur coat. She came and went in a hurry, ducking cameras along the way. She did, however, chat with a couple of journalists who wanted to know about the frail star’s health. “I’m fine,” she said, offering the fact that she was eating well and doing yoga as proof. Then she proudly showed off her necklace because, yes, Miss Lohan now apparently wants to be a jewelry designer.

Inside, guests snacked on crab cakes while keeping their eyes glued to the ceremony being shown on the big screen. Paris Hilton’s parents sipped their champagne as Bridget Moynahan, Michel Bolton and a few Grey’s Anatomy cast members all made appearances. In a nutshell, nothing that had you scrambling for your camera.

It was time to move on.

Jumping in a taxi, I headed for the Vanity Fair party at the Sunset Tower, but the Pentagon-style security at this celebrity fortress made it impossible to get anywhere near the building. Getting out of the taxi, a glimmer of gold on the pavement near a Range Rover with its door open caught my eye.

Turns out, the glimmer was an Oscar statue belonging to James March, producer of Man on Wire, winner of best documentary feature.

I asked March if I could hold it.

“Yeah, for sure,” he said, totally distracted.

So there I was, holding Oscar and reciting my own little thank-you speech. Sparing just enough time for a quick photo, Marsh headed into the party. Magical!

With some serious star power expected at the party, fans and paparazzi were kept herded together on the other side of the street, howling and cheering every time someone new descended from a limo.

obert Downey Jr. waved to the crowd before heading in, while Madonna and her boy toy, Jesus Luz, stayed barely 15 minutes before heading off to host a private party with Demi Moore.

A few stars, albeit not many, crossed the street to greet their fans. Jon Voight, father of Angelina Jolie, as usual came over to say hello, as did Adrian Brody, who made an effort to shake the hands of almost everyone in the crowd.

I asked Brody, who was accompanied by his father, how his night was going. Not off to a great start, he said, explaining that he wasn’t allowed into the Governor’s Ball because he didn’t have a ticket.

Then he was gone, darting back across the street.

Also causing a bit of a frenzy was Prince, who announced that he would be selling a few $100 tickets for his party at club Avalon. Don’t worry if you didn’t manage to grab one. You’ll be able to experience parts of the party later this year through clips the singer will be posting on his website (www.lotusflow3r.com).

All in all, not a bad night out on the town late on Oscar night.