Meijer & FW fans ready for Palin

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Workers at the Meijer on Maysville Road finished last minute preps Wednesday evening to get ready for the visit of Sarah Palin.

2,500 copies of the bestseller "Going Rogue" were unpacked, and meticulously stacked on tables to prepare for the crowds.

"We're expecting for some very large crowds, and the focus is to keep it basically as safe and controlled and enjoyable for the people who will be waiting in line as possible," said Frank Guglielmi, Director of Public Relations for Meijer.

Gugliemi estimates close to 2,000 people will flood the store Thursday morning for the event. He told NewsChannel 15 Meijer security, local police and Palin's own security will be on hand to keep things under control.

"As far as the drill of preparing for crowds to come in and get book signed, we're used to that. This is certainly amped up a bit," said Guglielmi.

The first one thousand fans with a copy of the book, and their Meijer receipt will get a wristband to meet Palin. The wristbands will begin to be distributed at 10 a.m. Thursday.

The book signing is scheduled for noon-3 p.m.

Eager fans began wandering the store as early as 5 p.m. Wednesday, waiting for a line to form to get their books signed.

"Her values are my values," said Palin fan Debbie Coning. "I just really want to thank her for all she's done and what she can do for our country."

The Portage, Michigan native arrived in Fort Wayne around 5 p.m, and quickly bought a copy of Palin's book. She narrowly missed her chance to meet the former vice presidential candidate in her home state.

Palin began her book tour with a stop at a Barnes and Nobles store in Grand Rapids, Michigan Wednesday evening.

"I was too late to make it up to Grand Rapids, which obviously is closer, so this is only two hours south, I came down here," Coning told NewsChannel 15.

Palin plans to head to Noblesville after her Fort Wayne stop.

For complete coverage of Palin's visit, tune into NewsChannel 15 First News, First at 5, 6, and Nightcast, and check back here for updates.