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Enjoying the Bellagio water show!
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In Celine's dressing room, looking through the
program book that she just
autographed for me!
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Checking out the Colosseum when we first arrived
in Las Vegas.
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Beaming with excitement as my mom and I finally
got to meet with Celine
Dion!
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In front of Celine's boutique anxious to see what's
inside!
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Getting ready to enjoy lettuce wraps at P.F. Changs.
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My mom and I enjoying the Bellagio gardens!
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Enjoying the strip at night!
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TeamCeline Grand Prize of the Year
A dream vacation for two to Las Vegas to attend A New Day… and
meet Celine!!!
The 2003 Grand Prize winner, Kendra from Medicine Hat, Alberta (Canada),
and her guest, her mother, embarked on their dream vacation in July
of 2004, starting with a flight to Las Vegas and concluding with a meeting
with Celine. You can read Kendra's account of this memorable
trip of a lifetime below. The photos were also taken during her visit
in Las Vegas.
I have been a Celine Dion fan as long as I can remember! It started
the first time that I heard “Where Does My Heart Beat Now”
on the radio. My mom took me to the mall the next day so that I could
buy her CD, and needless to say, I have been a huge fan ever since!
I own all of her CD’s to date, and would even record anything
televised that she was on if I could not be home to watch it, just so
that I could see and hear her sing. When my husband and I got married
in Las Vegas last July 2003, it was only natural to finally see her
perform live and make a dream of mine come true!
When I received the phone call 3 days before Christmas 2003 that I was
the Grand Prize Winner, I was filled with two very different feelings.
I was elated and so overjoyed on one hand that I had won and had the
opportunity to actually meet my idol in person. However, I was also
saddened by the fact that I knew my husband would not be able to return
to Las Vegas with me, as he was scheduled to leave for Iraq a couple
of months later. I decided that since he would not be able to join me,
the next best thing was to bring my mom.
When we arrived, we both forgot how hot Las Vegas was that time of year,
so naturally we welcomed the smiling faces and air conditioning in Caesar’s
Palace. After settling into our beautiful room, we got ready for the
night shows that we were taking in, thanks to the $500 spending money
that they gave me. Both Lance Burton and “O” at the Bellagio
were very enjoyable. It really made me excited for what was to come
the following night!
In the morning, we got up and went down to the beautiful pool area to
relax before our busy evening. Getting ready to meet Celine was very
exciting. We met up with the production assistant, along with another
couple that was coming up to meet Celine too. Sitting in her dressing
room was a surreal experience. I remembered that Oprah did a show on
Celine Dion when the show was scheduled to start at Caesar’s Palace,
which gave an inside look inside Celine’s dressing room. Then,
there I was, sitting in one of those same rooms, and all I was doing
was looking around in awe. It was really fascinating to see family pictures
up, as well as framed autographs and best wishes from other celebrities.
When Celine came into the room, I was speechless! She was so stunning
and graceful! However, because the show was moments away from starting,
we only had time for some quick pictures. Celine was very gracious and
gave me a souvenir program book, which she autographed, along with some
other pictures that I had brought.
Before being seated, my mom and I stopped to get a drink, and were really
impressed at how highly everyone who worked at the Colosseum spoke of
Celine! They said if only people could see all the nice things that
she does for others, even those who don’t directly work with her
– that she is always such a genuine, giving person!
When we were finally settled into our seats, I was amazed at how close
we would actually be to Celine! When she came out for her opening song,
it was like sitting right next to her. To be that close was amazing!
The show was as wonderful and remarkable as I remembered it to be. The
costumes, backdrops and visual effects took you into another place and
made you feel part of the songs. The dancers were magnificent and are
truly gifted. I was so impressed how Celine learns the routines and
dances along with them – she truly is a masterful entertainer!
I loved it how Celine made you feel part of her production. As you watched
how into her music she gets, it gave you a sense of how much she loves
her music and performing for others!
While we were leaving the Colosseum, my mom and I got another surprise.
As we were standing there waiting to exit the building, Celine’s
husband René walked right in front of us. I guess you could say
that the night was full of surprises and excitement! Afterwards, we
went into Celine’s boutique were I spent the $100 gift certificate
on some pajamas, t-shirts and a Christmas ornament.
The rest of our stay was very enjoyable. We did some gambling and enjoyed
walking around the Forum Shops in Caesar’s Palace. We did not
leave with thousands in our pockets, but I left feeling like we did!
I could not have asked for a better way to spend part of my summer,
especially having to be away from my husband, Will, who was in Iraq.
Thank you to everyone who made meeting one of my idols a dream come
true! You were all very gracious, kind and helpful. As a result, it
helped to bring some happiness and joy into my life during a time when
I felt like I needed it most. This truly was a once in a lifetime opportunity
and one that I will always remember and cherish!
Kendra
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Canada
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