The Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic

The Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic is an annual event in South Carolina, as in many states across our nation.  It is a tradeshow, of sorts, catering to the wonderful world of wildlife in our state, and is held at our state fair grounds.  It also is a great venue for the Department of Natural Resources to promote awareness and conservation of our state's natural resources.

There are all sorts of things to see and new gadgets to add to your hunting gear.  Remember that prize buck you shot last deer season?  Well you can bring it here to have the points measured and recorded in the history books.

You can also wear your camouflage shirts and pants, if you don't feel you got to wear them enough during the last season of hunting. 

Or you can buy new items to add to your ever growing wardrobe.

Or how about a camouflage golf cart?  Now there's something every household could use!

There's also lots of wild animals being kept on leashes to keep them from getting away or worse, hurting someone. 

Even Santa Claus got in on the action!

And who said the South isn't stronger than ever?  With all these rebel flags around, either the history books are wrong, or South Carolina is still a part of the Confederate States! 

Really?  A stars and bars bathing suit, ...

..... and flip-flops, and .....

...... a kitchen apron set?  I have seen it all!

No wait!  I take that back!  There's a Mennonite selling camouflage trailers! 

Maybe now I've seen it all.

The best part of the day, for me, was seeing the amazing birds of prey. 

Such beautiful birds with amazing agility and grace. 

It was also great seeing some of my family too!

I'm kidding!  Here's the picture of me with a few members of my family! 

We left our camouflage and our rebel flags at home!

The best part of the day for others was seeing high caliber

weapons, and being able to handle them!

And still for others the best part of the day was partaking in a bit of fair fare. 

Fried candy bar, anyone? 

We are in the Deep Fried South, after all!!!

I still stand behind my GRITS heritage, but this event veers away from the genteel South of evenings on the veranda, mint juleps, horse races, and going barefoot all summer. 

Or, maybe I've just been away too long!