shania.funurl.com

Twain fans flock to city

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The Daily Press
August 7, 2008
Chelsey Romain

As country superstar Shania Twain publicly deals with personal issues, fans from across the globe remind her that she's still the one in their hearts.

A number of those fans have already arrived in Twain's hometown of Timmins. They are preparing for this weekend's sixth-annual World Wide Shania Twain Convention, which begins today.

The convention will include everything from a baseball game and tours to an outdoor concert and special guest speakers.

But with the cost of airfares and gas at all-time highs, the number of registrants continues to drop.

Less than 40 people are signed up for this year's event. Shania Twain Centre manager Tracy Hautanen said there are plenty of reasons for the decline in numbers.

"Every year our numbers drop just a little bit, due to the cost of travel," Hautanen said.

"Some are still willing to make the trek, but some of our regulars won't be able to make it this year."

Although it was said Twain was preparing for an upcoming album this year, her recent separation from her husband has stalled the project, Hautanen said. The numbers of people attending the convention tend to drop when Twain's not touring or releasing an album.

"Our best year, more than 100 people came out," she said. "But that was during the peak of her touring.

"Her being in the media right now has brought more attention to her and the centre, though.

For those travelling to Timmins this week -- from as far away as Germany and the Netherlands, and for the first time Italy, or from across Canada -- Hautanen promises a fun-filled weekend.

They will arrive to a meet-and- greet social and bonfire, weather permitting, today before heading back to their hotels to rest for a jam-packed Friday.

The start of the weekend will include a tour of the centre, lunch with a very special guest speaker, a ride on the go-karts and dinner at the centre with karaoke and a silent auction.

J. D. Blair, who was drummer on Twain's "Come on Over" and "UP!" tours, will be attending his fourth convention, hanging out with fans Friday.

Saturday morning means lacing up the runners and heading out to the ballpark for one of Twain's favourite sports.

"One of Shania's favourite sports to play is baseball," Hautanen said. "On her last tour, she split her crew into two teams, one named Timmins and the other Huntsville.

"It was something fun to do with her crew and we thought it would be fun for the fans as well."

The convention will wrap up with the annual farewell brunch on Sunday, where friends brought together by music say their goodbyes until next year.

Even though it has been a while since Twain's last album, Hautanen said it's not just about the singer anymore, but what her music has meant to people and how it has brought people together.

"One fan said he was looking at his photos from past conventions and the first two years it was all about the scenery in Timmins, the rest were of friends," Hautanen said. "They come for each other now.

"They all have something in common, they relate to her lyrics and are inspired by her.

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