The weekend we've all been waiting for.....the return of the Summer Of Superstars live tribute show series to Canobie Lake Park! For the first time since I became a fan of the shows, I could not be there opening day due to my nephew's high school graduation party, so I came on the second day.

Arrived at 10:45AM and parked about 3 or 4 rows behind the SkyWheel. The park wasn't nearly as crowded as last week (Father's Day). Took a walk around the park before it got too crowded, went down by the Boston Tea Party area and the Sons Of Liberty background music was playing like a 33.3 record on 78 speed!! Some Fun Squad leaders (including Tyler the Fun Czar) were there and we all cracked up laughing at the blooper.

This week's special guests: Shawn P (who loves reading my TRs), TULADN's friend Tony (who was there with his family) and the "SimonWill Groupies" who always hang around the Dance Hall Theater waiting to see Matt, Eddie, etc. before the shows.

Rides I went on: Over the Rainbow (twice), The Blue Heron, The Crazy Cups (twice), The Caterpillar, The Tiki Maze, The Canobie Express (from Portofino to The Be-Bop Diner) and Dodgem (thrice). I didn't do the rides as much because I wanted to focus on the shows today! The corn is growing steadily at Terror In The Corn and across from there was a sign for "Autumn Fairgrounds", which I later found out would feature artisans and New Hampshire-made products, sounds like a Farmer's Market-type thing. Something new!

Scored more than 1,000 points between the two Fortune games (Soccer and Wheel Of) and my 2012 total now stands at 8,432. I am really letting it ride this year and see how far I go with it.

Food consumed: Barbecue Pork Rib Sandwich and Steak Fries (Dancing Bear Canteen) with Mug Root Beer (Lumber Jack Ice Cream) and Oreo Cookes 'n Cream Dippin' Dots for dessert.

And now for the shows!!!!!

Tribute to Michael continues to amaze and entertain. I caught the 2PM show which had 6 dancers (3 of each sex) and later returned for the 8PM show, which had 8 dancers (4 of each sex). Talked with Eddie Moss after the 2PM show, it's always good to see him. Also reunited with Janell (Mrs. Matt Lewis) and Sharon from SWP. It was the 2010 show format except with Beat It instead of Black or White. The complete show: Jam, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Smooth Criminal/Dangerous, Thriller, Eddie chats with the audience for a few minutes, Man In The Mirror, They Don't Care About Us, The Way You Make Me Feel, Beat It and the Billie Jean finale. The stage now has scaffolding on both sides which was utilized during Beat It and the Lady Gaga tribute (which I'll get to later). The four returning dancers from last year (Mia, Ashley, David and Tyrone) were in this show and the Gaga show.

3PM Tribute to Justin Bieber starring 15-year-old Adrian Easton (who has his own YouTube page titled "Adrian Sings") and the four dancers who weren't in the 2PM Michael show (there are 10 dancers total). Lots of energy from the dancers and Adrian seemed to really love doing the show. Huge crowds of adoring tween/teen girls surround the stage. The show was only 20 minutes long and Bieber had just one costume change. Due to his young age (employment requirement for certain ages), the 9PM show was moved up to 8:30PM. After each show he took time to meet and greet the fans who joined him on stage for photos. Just prior to the show I got to chat with park owner Ray Captell, Matt "Elvis" Lewis--now sporting a goatee'--and my favorite dancer Mia!!!!!!!

4PM Tribute to Lady Gaga. OK, let me just state for the record that I am not a fan of Gaga songs, but the show itself was.........WHOA!!!!! What. A. Production. You have to see this show to believe it. Seriously. Her name is Erika C. Moul and she is outstanding! She really belts out the songs and for Poker Face, she plays the piano--standing on the piano bench! The show opened with Born This Way and other songs in the show included Bad Romance, Alejandro, Americano (which featured a jaw-dropping costume where her red skirt dress expanded to cover almost the entire stage floor!! As I said before, you have to see it to believe it!!), Disco Stick and concluding with Edge Of Glory. She had 8 dancers (the 6 dancers from the 2PM Michael show plus 2 of the Bieber dancers--the other 2 Bieber dancers joined the 8PM Michael show). I was totally blown away! Got my picture with Erika after the show, she's such a sweetheart. I was so impressed that I returned for the 7PM show!

The pre-show video promo package included the Ozzy promo for ScreeemFest, even though Alan Kaye is not returning this fall.

After the 8PM Michael show I joined Mia, Matt and Erika as they made their way to the back area where the employees go and I chatted with them for a bit. It is so good to have them back!!!!!!!! Forever Kings debuts at CLP on June 29 and runs until July 15 at 5PM in place of the 5PM Michael show and it returns at the end of July for a few weeks until mid-August. I eagerly await this show.

Left the park promptly at 10PM. 8 visits down, 13 to go!!