** Archived Article - please check for current information. **

#07-65 March 5, 2007

Alligator educator headlines Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic

The Swampmaster Gator Show, featuring Jeff Quattrochi of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., is in “center pool” three times daily at the March 23-25 Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, teaching visitors about the alligator using demonstrations, humor and entertainment.

The free program allows visitors to touch a young alligator and learn more about its natural history.Swampmaster Gator Show Quattrochi, with more than 14 years of experience, will skillfully handle an 8-foot, 200-pound alligator during his demonstrations.

The 23rd Annual Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic will be held at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia March 23-25. Doors will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, March 23; from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 24; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 25.

For more information on the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic, call the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Columbia office at (803) 734-4008. Admission to the 2007 Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic is $6, and parking is $2. Seniors 60 and over get in for $5 while children 10 and under are admitted free. Visitors bringing five canned-food items for Harvest Hope Food Bank receive $1 off admission.

Classic-goers will find more than 300 exhibitors on site with the latest fishing, hunting and outdoor equipment for show and sale. New and returning major attractions for 2007 are “The SwampMaster” Alligator Show, Roark Ferguson and Joe Kelly’s display of North American Wildlife Collection and Southern Whitetail Collection. Also in 2007, the Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic will feature its second archery contest where participants may bring their own bow and arrows and compete in an archery contest sponsored by the Palmetto Archery Federation and the Lake Marion Archery Club, snakes by Okefenokee Joe, and native amphibians and reptiles; DNR’s Take One Make One trailer with air rifle and electronic shooting ranges and Bass Tub fishing technique demonstrations. Richland County Sheriff’s Department will also set up their I.R.I.S. and Kid Print program with hours running from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The DNR’s education staff and volunteers will be on hand to help kids catch a catfish at the highly popular SC Reel Kids Fishing Pond.

The Palmetto Sportsmen’s Classic is sponsored by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Carolina First Bank, WIS-TV, WCOS Radio, SportsTalkSC, Professional Printers and The State Newspaper.
More News