Print edition: 
Are local Republicans excited that Sarah Palin is coming to Wichita?
You betcha.
"She obviously is going to draw a big crowd," said John Stevens, president of the Wichita Pachyderm Club. "She speaks for an element of folks who feel like they haven't gotten a lot of representation lately. I think she's a good person whether you agree with all her views or not."
The former Alaska governor has agreed to come to Wichita to speak at a May 2 fundraiser for Bethel Life School, a Christian school serving prekindergarten through eighth grade.
Following a private reception with major donors, she'll make a public appearance at Intrust Bank Arena beginning at 7 p.m.
"We're excited about this. We're proud to have her coming," said Ted Barney, president of the Bethel Life School Association. He said the association was able to negotiate to get Palin to come through a speakers' bureau that handles her appearances.
"We set out to get the best and we got it," he said.
Ticket prices for the event have not been set and it is not yet known when they will go on sale.
Palin became an overnight political celebrity when presidential candidate and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chose her as his vice presidential running mate in 2008.
Since then, she's resigned her Alaska governorship and has begun to write, speak and provide commentary on the Fox News Channel.
Her book, "Going Rogue: An American Life," became an instant bestseller when it hit the shelves in November.
Palin's conservative views, perky good looks and folksy manner have made her a hero to Republican conservatives and put her on the short list of possible nominees to challenge President Obama in 2012.
But as popular as she is with the right, she's a lightning rod for the left.
Democrats say she lacks a firm grasp of important issues and is unqualified for the presidency. Her campaign gaffes were famously mocked on "Saturday Night Live" in uncanny impersonations by comedian Tina Fey.
Bethel Life is hoping to not let politics overrun its event.
"It is not a political event, it's a benefit for the school," Barney said.
Even so, local Republicans are preparing to come out to cheer Palin.
Kelly Arnold, Sedgwick County clerk and Republican Party chairman, said he started receiving phone calls Tuesday as news of Palin's appearance made its way through local political circles.
"We're always excited to have nationally known GOP activists come to town," he said. "I'm sure many of the Republican Party people will be out to see her."
Palin will be speaking Friday to a crowd of about 6,000 at Salina's Bicentennial Center, where she's addressing a Chamber of Commerce banquet.
But can she fill Wichita's brand new 15,000-seat arena?
"That's hard to say," Arnold said. "She sold out in Salina. I would not be surprised if she could pack out the (Intrust) arena."
Stevens agreed.
"I think there will be a lot of interest in her," he said. "She's a pretty smart lady. If you stop and listen to her, she's got some pretty good ideas. She's a thinker."
Wichita Democrats are less than enthusiastic about Palin coming to town, but muted their criticism of her because of the charitable nature of her Wichita event.
"I have lots of feelings about her," said Sedgwick County Democratic Party chairman Kelly Johnston, although he declined to share any.
"I wish the school well in its fund drive, but I won't be attending," Johnston said. "I might have had a better chance of attending if it was someone else."
