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Fans Of Shania Twain Invited To Come On Over

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The Daily Press
July 26, 2007
Chelsey Romain

Shania Twain Centre manager Tracy Hautanen gears up to pick up fans for
the upcoming fifth-annual Shania Twain Fan Convention. Dozens of fans will
be filing into Timmins Aug. 9.

Fans from around the globe will once again be singing the praises of one of country music's biggest stars during the fifth-annual Shania Twain Fan Convention.

In two weeks, fans will be making their way to Timmins to share with others their love and admiration for Twain's music, and to get reacquainted with fellow fans who have become lifelong friends.

"Fans are starting to come for each other and the friends they have created over the years," said centre manager Tracy Hautanen. "We continue to get new people every year, but for most of them it's more of a reunion now."

Richard Sessions has attended every convention since its inception, and has even made a few trips to Timmins in between.

It began after seeing a Shania show live in Chicago and learning about the first convention. Since then, the resident of Indiana has travelled north for every convention, as well as Shania's homecoming in November 2004.

"For a lot of us, it's about the good people we meet," Sessions told The Daily Press. "Shania really does draw a good element of people." Even though Shania has not been back to her hometown in recent years, Sessions said it doesn't stop fans from attending the convention. While her presence would make the experience a whole lot better, fans are happy seeing her hometown, Sessions said.

"We find we learn a lot about her background just by associating with the people and visiting places that were notable to her," said Sessions.

"It shows us what helped her become who she is."

Fan attendance may be slightly down from previous years, but Hautanen said it was expected, and she plans on seeing those numbers on the rise again next year.

"We anticipated lower numbers this year because Shania has been quiet for a few years," she said. "We look forward to the number of people going up next year because Shania has said publicly she is recording her new album.

"There will be more Shania buzz next year."

This year, fans will meet up in Toronto where they will hop aboard a train and take the scenic trek up north.

The convention will kick off with a meet-and-great social on Aug 9 and wrap up with a farewell brunch on Aug. 12.

"This year our focus is on showcasing Timmins," said Hautanen. "We'll give them complete tours of Timmins to points of interest such as different waterfronts and mines throughout the community."

"People from Timmins don't realize how great the centre is," said Sessions. "The point is she is truly beyond a musical genius, but a genuinely good person, someone who I point my kids toward.

"We feel Timmins and the centre will become the next Graceland. If it wasn't there, I never would have come to Timmins."

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