Canadian country music superstar Shania Twain thrilled a crowd of more than 22,000 in Charlottetown Saturday night with a high-energy performance at the P.E.I. Founders Concert.
It was Twain's first time performing in Prince Edward Island, and fans of the Ontario native could barely contain their excitement.
"We got our tickets back in March. We were the first ones. We slept out in the car overnight to get our tickets," Mary and Kristina McCormick said.
Twain performed with her regular band, which backs her in Las Vegas where she regularly performs.
The five-time Grammy Award winning singer dazzled the crowd with a diverse set, which saw her dancing in her trademark black cat suit and included a segment where she sang her hit single "You're Still the One" on a white horse.
After the concert, Twain told reporters that performing in front of the P.E.I. crowd felt familiar.
"I just feel at home here," she told reporters. "I relate so much to the people and the culture…I just love the whole Canadian spirit."
She also marvelled at the crowd response, and how everything just seemed to perfectly come together during the show.
"I had a fantastic time. I went out there to party… everybody was really excited. I just think we were all in it together and had a great time," she said. "The weather was gorgeous, and the wind was just blowing in the right way… it was wonderful."
P.E.I. singer Trinity Bradshaw was one of the performers who opened for Twain. She said she'd never forget the experience.
"I'm going to be telling this story to my grandkids," Bradshaw said. "I'm never going to forget this moment for the rest of my life. This is truly a dream come true."
After the concert, Twain attended a small after-party, with proceeds from the gathering going to her foundation "Shania Kids Can."
The foundation -- which provides schools in need with food, supplies and recreational space and equipment -- is particularly important to Twain, who grew up in poverty for a period of time.
"It's a personal journey, giving back to something I understand -- that I experienced," she said. "It was a dream of mine as a child. I always promised myself that if I ever made it someday, I would give back to kids like myself."
The concert kicked off Founders Week, which celebrates the 150th anniversary of the historic 1864 Charlottetown Conference, which led to Confederation.
The week runs until Sept. 7, and includes a parade of ships, historical re-enactments, as well as musical and dance performances.
With files from CTV Atlantic
