Gov. Ted Strickland will be the keynote speaker at Monday's Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce annual spring banquet.

“We're very fortunate to get the governor,” chamber administrator Lisa Carver said.

The banquet will be at Southern Ohio Medical Center's Friends Community Center and will start at 6 p.m.

Carver said Strickland is expected to make a major announcement during his speech.

The day will mark Strickland's first visit to Scioto County after defeating Kenneth Blackwell in the November election.

Strickland is believed to be the first governor to speak at the chamber banquet, Carver said.

The chamber also will name its distinguished citizen and outstanding chamber member of the year award winners at the banquet.

It also will graduate its 2007 Leadership Portsmouth class.

Carver said she expects a good turnout for the event.

“We cut reservations at 550,” Carver said. “We could have probably have fit 600 people, but we didn't want it to be too crowded.”

Therefore, there are no tickets left.

Before speaking at the banquet, Strick-land will attend a brick-laying ceremony at Sun Coke in Haverhill. That event is not open to the public.

Strickland also is scheduled to give the commencement address at his alma mater, Northwest High School, on May 27 at 2 p.m.

Carver said first lady Frances Strickland probably will not be with Strickland Monday.

However, she will be the keynote speaker at the Federated Democratic Women's Club of Scioto County's annual spring banquet May 24 at 5:30 p.m.

That event will be at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall on Gallia Street.

JEFF BARRON can be reached (740) 353-3101, ext. 236.