The Diva Cher is coming to Beaumont on Nov. 9, bringing fans old and young for her Farewell “Never Can Say Goodbye” Tour. Tickets started selling on Sept. 25, and fans were waiting out at Ford Park all night for them.

“She’s my hero,” Karen Batmen, a long-time fan, said. “I love her personality, songs, and spirit. I’ve admired her for so long, and now I finally get to see her in person.”

Cher’s farewell tour, which kicked off in June 2002, has decided to make another string of stops throughout the U.S. and Canada. She’ll be stepping on stage in the Ford Arena to give local fans their chance to say good-bye, and fans camping out for tickets were happy to be able to get that chance.

“My mom got me hooked on Cher. That’s why I’m waiting out here with her,” said Kathy Batmen, daughter to Karen. “I’ve been trying to get her tickets to a Cher concert for a long time, just to see her happy.”

Cher’s career has spanned nearly 40 years, which started when she sang 1965 hit, “I Got You Babe”. Since then she’s released 25 albums, along with nine albums with the late Sonny Bono. She has also done nine films. Most popular of these are “Moonstruck” and “Silkwood,” which she won an oscar and a Golden globe for, respectfully.

“I like Cher. I’ve been a fan of hers ever since her day with Sonny [Bono],” US History and Government teacher Jerry Covington said. “I always play her ‘Farewell Tour’ CD in my classroom. But these kids in my class have no taste.”

Cher’s Farewell Tour has stopped at close to 250 locations in North America. As to when her Farewell Tour will be drawing to a close, Cher has released a public statement saying that she will be doing a round of international dates in 2005, ending with a March 11 performance in Brisbane, Australia.

"My Australian shows will be very emotional because that's where it will end," she said in her statement from her tour. "I think the reason I've kept going, and agreed to more dates, is because it will be really sad to finally say goodbye."

Tickets for the concert are for sale at the Ford Arena box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, including Foley’s in Parkdale Mall, and For Your Entertainment in Central Mall, or charge by phone at (409) 833-7747. Cher has released "Cher Live: The Farewell Tour," a DVD that features 18 songs recorded during her Nov. 8, 2002 concert in Miami. The DVD, along with her latest album “Living Proof”, are available at most entertainment stores.