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SHANIA TWAIN: Fans worldwide converge in Timmins for annual convention

The Daily Press
August 7, 2009
By Chelsey Romain

It was all things Shania as the remaining Twainiacs descended upon Timmins for the seventh annual fan convention.

More about the people they have met along the way than anything else these days, those who came from far and wide were anticipating a weekend filled with gatherings, surprises and special guests.

Shania Twain Centre manager Tracy Hautanen said the centre was expecting roughly 30 fans, with the final few arriving yesterday.

"A lot of them have been here since Sunday," Hautanen said. "It's absolutely a reunion for many of them.

"They come to a place that's common for them and see friends they haven't seen in a while."

Hautanen's sentiments were echoed by the few that scattered the centre yesterday, before the official start to this year's convention.

Bianca Verhaar made her second trip to Northern Ontario from her home in the Netherlands for the convention, anxious to see those she hasn't seen since her first convention three years ago.

"I've been a fan since 2004 when I saw her Chicago concert on TV.," Verhaar said. "I loved the music and the lyrics are so good.

"I look forward to just being around everyone and having fun."

Verhaar isn't the only one to travel thousands of kilometres to visit the City with the Heart of Gold once again.

Matt Davis and his mother have been attending conventions for five years, each time traveling from Manchester, England.

Davis said he first came to Canada for the third convention, when several Europeans attended.

"I wanted to see the centre and thought with the convention going on it would be more interesting," Davis told The Daily Press yesterday. "When I got here I realized what it was all about and I met some pretty cool people."

And while it may be the people they have met along the way, it was a love for Twain's music that brought them together in the first place.

Davis said it was listening to Twain's music that introduced him to other country greats.

"I was big into rock music. When I heard her songs, I thought it was different so I would give it a try," Davis said. "When I realized it was country it turned me on to others like Alan Jackson and Toby Keith."

Even after seven years, many fans, having attended each and every convention, said it's important to make sure they have new and different activities for the fans every year, said Hautanen.

And while past favourites such as karaoke, tours and the annual trivia contest continue, one event stands out above all others: The chance to meet and speak to those who once played an important role in Twain's life.

"We try to have special guests from her past, anyone who has played some role in her past," Hautanen said, adding that in the past, former band members and even her former manager have come to visit.

"It's important to the fans that come here.

"Because they are so respectful of Shania, it's important they know she surrounded herself with great people over the years."

Throughout the weekend, the fans will travel to key places key in Twain's past including a day at a campsite to signify the singer's past camping experience and a stop at the Timmins Therapeutic Riding Association.

"Shania is very passionate about horses, so we wanted them to learn about things that Shania cares about," Hautanen said.

The weekend's major event includes a chance for fans to be treated like a celebrity as they take to the red carpet for the centre's very own CMA awards.

"We wanted to give them the red carpet treatment at an awards show and provide them with a celebrity experience," said Hautanen.

The fan convention wraps up on Sunday with a farewell brunch.

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