Many of the books were being sent as Christmas gifts. (Shawn Wilson/KTUU-DT) |
Sarah Palin headed home for the holidays after a nationwide book tour, but before taking a break she decided to hold a book signing in Wasilla.
Palin's father Chuck Heath said it was his favorite book signing. Hundreds showed up, but unlike other stops, a lot of these fans were also familiar faces.
It might be too late to send a signed copy of Palin's book and have it show up by Christmas, but that didn't stop hundreds of her fans.
"This one is for me, I also got a Christmas present for a friend," said Palmer resident Kalea Myers.
"Is it a hot commodity? I don't know. It probably is. I don't know, I don't shop," said George Rauscher.
The former governor held her first public book signing in her home state and she chose to do it in her hometown.
"(I) just came to support her. It's like having a girlfriend, we just want to show her high fives," said Susie Hooser.
"I think it's really meaningful and it just shows how much she values community and this is where her roots are," another fan said.
Eager fans lined up as early as 5 a.m.
"Any woman that can shoot her own caribou and gut it is good for me," said Dick Schoenwald, a Wasilla resident who showed up with his wife Cathy.
Palin's hometown visit also put some extra cash into the Wasilla economy.
Pandemonium Books brought almost 1,000 copies of "Going Rogue" to the signing.
By noon, they had sold over one-third.
"Lots and lots of gifts going out of the store that way. We've been personalizing all our books with a little stamp that says it's from Wasilla, Alaska so it holds a little more value," said Shannon Cullip, the owner of Pandemonium book sellers.
After spending over a month on the road, Palin's family was glad to see some familiar faces in the crowd.
"It feels really good, and it's nice to see her finally get back home. A lot of people have been waiting a long time around here and the tour has been phenomenal, but it's just special to have her back in her hometown," said Palin's brother, Chuck Heath.
"I enjoy it because I know most of the people here, and it's kind of a homecoming," said her father, also Chuck Heath.
Fans and family agree: Sarah saved the best book signing for last.
Earlier this month Palin held book signings at Elmendorf and Eielson Air Force Bases.
"Going Rogue" has sold more than 1 million copies.
Contact Jackie Bartz at jbartz@ktuu.com
