By Tommy Braswell

Post and Courier

The second Charleston Sportsmen's Classic will be held March 19-21 at the Exchange Park Fairgrounds in Ladson. Show hours are noon-8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday.

More than 10,000 people are expected to attend the show, which features a little bit of everything for the outdoorsmen. Fishermen can compete for cash prizes by catching a tagged fish in the lake at the fairgrounds.

Other show specials for this year include:

• The Alaskan Grizzly Experience -- a live, seven-foot tall, 600-pound Alaska grizzly bear.

• North American Giants -- an 80-foot display of the largest whitetail deer harvested in North America, including the Hanson and Jordan bucks -- the top two bucks on record.

• Take One, Make One -- a display by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, which includes virtual reality big game hunting and fishing simulators.

Boat and RV dealers along with numerous outdoor-related manufacturers also will participate, and there will be turkey calling and dog-training demonstrations.

Former Clemson football coach Danny Ford also will be on hand on Sunday from noon-3 p.m.

Tickets are $6 for adults, with kids 10 and under admitted free. Parking will be free all weekend, and there will be $1 off coupons in The Post and Courier.

Call (843) 597-2566 or visit

charleston sportsmensclassic.net.

Carolina Billfish Classic

The fishing group spearheading the effort to establish the South Carolina Memorial Reef is joining forces with the Carolina Billfish Classic, the newest addition to the S.C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series, and will hold a dinner and auction on the Friday of the tournament at the beach at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina.

The Carolina Billfish Classic will be fished June 23-26 out of Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina as well as Harbour Town on Hilton Head Island and Georgetown Landing Marina.

The idea for the Reef (designated as the Charleston Deep Reef by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources) was sparked by the death at age 43 of popular fisherman Tony Smoak, who captained the Fish Wrapper.

Anglers were looking for a way to honor his memory and came up with the idea of raising funds to put a significant structure such as a ship in the reef area, located 52 miles southeast of Charleston in 350 to 450 feet of water. The group has set a fundraising goal of $500,000.

For information, contact Steve Leasure at (843) 209-2818 or visit www.scmemorialreef.org.

The Carolina Billfish Classic will offer anglers an opportunity to win more than $1 million with 100 boat entries plus $1 million for a state record blue marlin, dolphin, tuna or wahoo. That event is sponsored by the Carolina Ford Dealers Association. The tournament also will offer a "Under 40" with an opportunity for boats under 40 feet to win an additional $10,000. Visit www.fishcbc.com for information.