To the sounds of a crowd chanting her name, Sarah Palin this afternoon greeted her political fans at the Books-A-Million store in Colonial Brookwood Village Mall at Homewood and autographed copies of her new book: "Going Rogue."
The former Alaska governor and former GOP vice-presidential candidate drew a crowd that packed the mall two hours before she began signing books about 4:30 p.m.
Palin was accompanied by several family members including her father Chuck Heath.
A crowd Sunday estimated at one point to be about 1,800 by Homewood police, lined up at the bookstore to qualify for the 1,000 wristbands that assured a place in today's book signing line.
Among those had been Darleen Roper, 62, of Trussville who said she arrived three hours early on Sunday to qualify for wristband 429. Today she explained her commitment: "I like what she stands for. She's ready to clean up the government and we're ready for change.'
Another Palin fan was Frances Mann, 51, of Columbus, Miss., who said she drove alone to Birmingham to obtain an autographed book. She said she respects Palin's values and her spunk, adding Palin has been abused by the "bad media."
Matt Perdie of Long Island, N.Y., made what is probably the longest and most round-about trip to meet Palin. Perdie said he has been walking across country since June to raise awareness of dangerous government spending in America. He was in Tuscaloosa for the weekend when he learned of Palin's impending visit and headed for Birmingham.
In photos: Monday's booksigning
In photos: Sunday's wait for wristbands