Hundreds waiting for Palin's book signing in Roanoke; video of overnight campers: The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at
BKS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- 7:10 a.m.: More than 300 people camped overnight Saturday outside Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Valley View Mall to await former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's signing of her new memoir, "Going Rogue," today. (See video of the campers, who said Palin made a surprise visit Saturday night.)
Bundled in sleeping bags, blankets and hunting jackets, the crowd huddled together, listening to Christmas music piped over the mall's outdoor speakers, in a line that wrapped around the mall's corner.
Lynn Pixley, 61, of Roanoke County, was one of the first 50 people. She and her sister had been there since 6:30 p.m. Saturday, almost 12 hours before.
"Watch it -- that guy in the brown jacket snuck in," she said, pointing to a group of people walking from the parking lot to the line a few yards back.
At 6:20 a.m., the first few people in line -- all armed with two copies of "Going Rogue" each -- were ushered inside the store to receive wristbands and a gold bookmark, then sent back outside to start a new line.
Sun Hee Muskopf of Roanoke County was first and had been camping out since 8 a.m. Saturday. She wanted to tell Palin, "Stick to your integrity."
To accommodate the crowds, Barnes & Noble will open at 9 a.m., three hours earlier than its normal Sunday opening time.
What will you say to Palin when she signs your book?
--"I'm going to thank her and [say] I'm glad she came to a smaller area. Keep up the good work." -- Faye Hedrick, 57, Vinton
--"Read my lipstick." -- Laura Thomas, 57, Vinton
--"There's not many people in this world that I admire, but she's one of them." -- Jessica Copenhaver, 33, Botetourt Co.
--"I hope you make another run for it. Next to Reagan, you're my man." -- Deborah Charles, 56, Botetourt Co.
--"I loved you so much on 'Craig Ferguson.' " -- Patrick Andrews, 37, Austin, Texas
--"Thank you." -- Peter Ciccarello, 71, Rocky Mount
--"I want to see the regimental band from Virginia Tech in the 2012 inaugural parade." -- Sue Evangelista, 60, Warrenton
--"We don't know, we were just thinking about it. Maybe 'You're pretty.'" -- Brandon Ferrone, 17, Roanoke Co.
--"I'm going to ask her what kind of skin care she uses." -- Gloria Stump, 63, Waynesboro
--"I'm going to say I'm honored she's come to Virginia. We need her." -- Anne Hergerton, 40, Huddleston
--"I don't know." -- Victoria Clarkson, 12, Lynchburg
--"We love you, Sarah." -- Myranda Clarkson, 14, Lynchburg
Creature comforts: Coffee, bathroom breaks and canine company
For the hundreds that braved near-freezing temperatures overnight to share about 10 seconds with Palin, the Barnes & Noble and Valley View Mall staff attempted to aid the book enthusiasts' comfort.
Store employees pushed a cart of coffee before the sun came up at 7 a.m., selling cups for $2.75. Overnight, Valley View security had let Palin campers into the mall in groups to use the restrooms.
One couple brought their dog for company. Dixie, a Jack Russell-rat terrier mix, played on the sidewalk next to her owners, Patty and Dan Kaufman of Lithia. "We want her to meet Sarah" if the store will allow it, Patty said. "I think she'll like her."
Kaufman, 53, had a copy of "Going Rogue" tucked in a bag that hung on her fold-up chair. Dixie will read it with her overnight, she said Saturday at 11 p.m.
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