A paradise for outdoor lovers at SC State Fairgrounds

The Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, opens for the second of its three-day run at the S.C. State Fairgrounds at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The show is huge – organizers say the more than 300 vendors take up every bit of space in every building and the surrounding outdoor exhibition areas – and is surprisingly varied in its offerings.

You can inspect huge dream boats as well as small craft better suited to hiding from the crafty bass that lurk in area lakes; check out all the latest hunting and fishing equipment, sight through new scopes and, hopefully, discover camo gear and odor eliminator that will make you invisible to your prey. A group called Lipstick & Lead will be on hand to promote shooting sports among women.

There are also a number of cool special events, including a chance to visit with John Godwin from A&E’s television’s “Duck Dynasty” from 1-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday; Keith Johnson and his Brass Tub, a 4,000-gallon clear aquarium Johnson uses to demonstrate fishing techniques; and an Extreme Raptorshow with Jonathan Wood, a Master Falconer who rehabilitates birds of prey at his two sanctuaries. He’ll be bringing 18 birds to the show – hawks, eagles, falcons and two baby owls still in their incubator. The demonstrations will showcase the birds’ speed, agility and grace in the air.

Programs for kids include an outdoor fishing pond stocked with catfish and a lure-tying class.

The Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic supports the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, a private, non-profit that promotes education, research, management and theadministration of game and fish laws in South Carolina.

$8, general admission; $7, seniors and military; free, children 10 and under; $5, parking. 1200 Rosewood Drive. (803) 609-1072, www.psclassic.com

Katie McElveen, Special to The State

This story was originally published March 19, 2016 at 5:00 AM.