– Former Republican vice presidential

candidate Sarah Palin will visit Kansas in February to address the

Salina Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.

Chamber officials made the announcement Monday, saying the

former Alaska governor had been a top choice as the keynote speaker

for the Feb. 5 event.

The chamber typically brings in prominent figures for its annual

meetings. Speakers in the past decade have included longtime sports

broadcaster Bob Costas, former President George H.W. Bush, former

British Prime Minister John Major and former U.S. Attorney General

John Ashcroft.

The banquet takes place at the Salina Bicentennial Center arena.

The event is open to nonmembers if any tickets remain after sales

to Chamber members.