Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is returning to southwest Ohio later this week, this time for a rally in Wilmington.

The Republican vice presidential nominee is scheduled to stop by at 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, at The Roberts Centre, 123 Gano Road, in Wilmington, according to the campaign's Web site.

The event will mark Palin's first visit to the region since she and GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain stopped by The Golden Lamb in Lebanon on Sept. 9, less than a week after the Republican National Convention.

"We're excited," said Tom Ellis, chairman for the Butler County GOP. "We've got to have Ohio, what can we say?"

Ellis said Palin has been "the energizer" who has drawn huge crowds of the Republican base for the GOP ticket.

"I don't think that is just an anomaly here in Ohio," he said. "I think she is drawing large crowds wherever she goes. People are relating to her as an average American, in the sense that she relates to their every day life and the trials and tribulations of raising a large family.

"I just think that resonates extremely well."

Palin was scheduled to attend a Sept. 16 fundraising event at the Indian Hill home of Western & Southern Financial Group Chairman John Barrett, but that event was cancelled. However, Ellis said it has been rescheduled for Friday, Oct. 10.

Donations range from to $1,000 per person, which includes admission to the breakfast; to $25,000 per couple, which includes breakfast, a leadership reception and a photo opportunity, Ellis said.

Those wishing to attend Thursday's rally in Wilmington may RSVP via johnmccain.com or obtain tickets by stopping by Warren County GOP Headquarters, 30 West Main St., Lebanon, between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. For more information, call (513) 932-6089.