WOODWARD, Okla. – When the middle-of-nowhere town of Woodward invited George W. Bush to its Fourth of July celebration, no one really expected the former president to accept. But he did.

The Associated Press

Kelle Robinson and other Woodward, Okla., residents are rolling out red, white and blue goodies for George W. Bush in what they are calling the biggest event in the town's history.

Now this community of 12,000 is scurrying to get ready for what some locals are calling the biggest thing ever to happen to Woodward.

"To actually come to a small community like this, that shows his character," said Kelle Robinson, co-owner of the Sweet Surprises store, which has been turning out U.S. flag cookies. "He's not too good for the common people."

Bush's paid speaking engagement at Woodward's Let Freedom Ring 2009 celebration will be his first Fourth of July since he left the Oval Office, and the latest in a series of small, under-the-radar events that he has dropped in on as ex-president.

He is scheduled to speak Saturday night for about 40 minutes at the two-day event, which also will feature several country music acts. Organizers declined to say how much Bush is getting paid.

About 9,200 tickets have been sold, which would be the biggest crowd for Bush since he left office in January. Seats for the speech range from $25 to $500 for close-to-the-stage "Oval Office Tickets."

The Associated Press

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