by Todd Walker

9:27 p.m. AKDT, September 10, 2010
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—

Tickets are selling fast for TV personality Glenn Beck's controversial appearance in Downtown Anchorage Saturday -- on the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Organizers are expecting between 4,000 and 4,200 people in attendance at the Dena'ina Center. Former Gov. Sarah Palin is expected to introduce Beck to the nearly sell-out crowd.

The man behind the event, Northern Stage Company owner Christopher Cox, says convincing Beck to visit Alaska took six months of work. Cox says Sept. 11 was not the intended date, but the only one that happened to work out for Beck's schedule and didn't compete with the Alaska State Fair.

There is an anti-Beck/Palin rally on the Delaney Park Strip planned for the same time as Beck's speech, as well as one outside the Dena’ina Center.

“I don't see any downside to the thing -- if you disagree with him, great,” Cox said. “If you're in the living room you change the channel; if you disagree with the guy, don't buy a ticket. But if you like him, we hope you come out.”

Beck recently announced he will donate all of his earnings from the rally to charity.

Contact Todd Walker at twalker@ktuu.com