Templo del Fuego, Universal's Port Aventura, Spain, also won for Attraction. Similar to the Backdraft attraction, but themed to a temple, it uses fire, water, show action effects, live actors, and story to created a themed show, and has a themed queue and pre-show.

Tomb Raider: The Ride, Paramount's Kings Island, Cincinnati, was another winner in the Attraction category. It pairs a “Great Top Spin�? ride system with an indoor themed show set in ancient tomb.

Haunted Mansion Holiday, Disneyland Park, won for Effective Re-Theming. Accepting were

Doug McIntire,

and Brian Sandahl, Art Director, Disneyland Entertainment Productions.

Harrison “Buzz�? Price took the stage for presentation of the Thea Lifetime Achievement Award.

George Millay was the recipient. He created themed restaurants, then the original Sea World, then the original Wet ‘n Wild! Two successful, unique theme park chains from one man - that’s quite a record. Mr. Price also informed us, as did the touching video about Mr. Millay, that he is, like Price, a cancer survivor. He gave a great speech, and is still creating. Quite a man! He is pictured below with his son Gavin and the award.

It was then time for desert. Yummy.

Pat MacKay, Ones & Zeros Media, and Tony Baxter of WDI were the next set of presenters.

Luz y Voces del Tajin, Estado de Veracruz, Mexico won for Live Show.

Miguel Aleman Velazco, Governor of the State of Veracruz, was on hand to be one of the people accepting the award. This seasonal show is a nightime, cultural, multi-media experience at a pre-Hispanic site - el Tajin in Estado de Veracruz, Mexico. It lights up pyramids, temples, and other archeological structures with projected images and patterns, pyrotechnic effects, and lighting, and features live Totonaque Indian musicians, dancers, actors and extras.

2002 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies, Salt Lake City won for Event Spectacular.

Accepting were Scott Givens, Managing Director of the Creative Group,Don Mischer, Executive Producer, David Goldberg, Producer, and Sayre Wiseman, Director of Ceremonies Production. I have an idea just how much goes in to producing such grand, singular event (based on producing comparatively tiny singular events), and it is a massive undertaking. The thought overwhelms me.