shania.funurl.com

City set to welcome Shania Twain fans;
Centre manager has a full itinerary lined up for convention participants

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The Daily Press
August 9, 2006
Chelsey Romain

Shania Twain fans from across the globe are en route to Timmins for a glimpse of Twain's life pre-stardom.

Some fans were so eager for the event to begin, Shania Twain Centre manager Tracy Hautanen said, they arrived in Timmins a week ago for the fourth annual convention, set to begin tomorrow. For the rest, the trip began Tuesday after they arrived in Toronto, where they were met by Hautanen and taken a tour of the Country Music Television (CMT) Canada building in Toronto.

"They will be able to see the new CMT central set and get a complete tour of the building and see how the shows are made," Hautanen told The Daily Press as she travelled by motor coach to Toronto to pick up arriving fans.

Following the tour, the bus will take the group to Huntsville where it will visit the Deerhurst Resort, where Shania performed as a young artist. Then it's back to Timmins Thursday morning.

While it is not part of the convention, fans will have time to visit different areas of Timmins as the downtown BIA hosts a walk-about, giving visitors the chance to see some of the places Shania frequented during her years in Timmins.

The convention officially starts Thursday night with a meet and greet and the unveiling of the newest exhibit at the centre - the small-scale replica of the Maple Leaf Hotel, which was torn down last weekend.

"There will be a few surprises in store when we unveil the exhibit," said Hautanen.

The convention offers fans a chance to see what Shania was like before she skyrocketed to stardom. Participants will also be able to catch a glimpse of a number of personal items donated to the centre by the artist, such as outfits, awards and videos.

Visitors will also get the opportunity to speak with those who know Shania personally.

Originally, three members of Shania's band had confirmed they would be attending, however, only two are now making the trip.

"Unfortunately, their schedules are busy and some who intended on coming are unable to make it this year," said Hautanen, adding drummer J.D. Blair and fiddler Allison Cornell will be attending and joining fans on tours and visits. "It's an opportunity to hear what it's like being on tour and being a member of her band."

On Friday, the group will travel to the Mattagami First Nation where Chief Willis McKay will guide them around the community where Shania spent much of her time as a child.

On Saturday, tours have been set up around the community, including the Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre, Milson Forestry, Cedar Meadows and Timmins High & Vocational School, where Shania was a student. This year, fans will have to go through a survivor-type Shania trivia challenge, Hautanen said.

In the evening, the group heads to Cedar Meadows for a MuchMusic Video Dance Party with karaoke and a barbecue.

On Sunday morning, following a farewell brunch, fans will reconvene at the centre where some will head home while others stay until Monday, when Hautanen will again make the trip south so many can catch their flights back home and begin the countdown to next year's convention.

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