Get ready for SEWE!

The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition (SEWE) returns this weekend! SEWE began in Charleston, South Carolina in 1983 and has grown to be the largest wildlife and sporting event in the country. This year it will be held the weekend of February 12-14. SEWE describes itself as a “three-day celebration of wildlife and nature through fine art, conservation education, sporting demonstrations, food, drink, and the people who honor them all.”

You can visit SEWE online or find them on social media at the following links: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Flickr. General admission tickets are $50 for the weekend, $25 per day for Friday and Saturday, and $15 for Sunday. Tickets include all exhibits, which are held from 10am-6pm Friday and Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday. While online ticket sales have ended, you can view locations where tickets can be purchased in advance here. Tickets can also be purchased during SEWE at the exhibit locations.

More than 40,000 people attend the Exposition each year, making it one of the highlights of Charleston’s calendar. It generates about $50 million per year and includes over 500 artists, exhibitors, and wildlife experts from around the world. Most events are held in downtown Charleston, and for those that are not transportation is provided to and from the Charleston Visitors Center. Exhibits will be located at Brittlebank Park, Charleston Place hotel at 205 Meeting Street, Marion Square, the Marriott hotel on Lockwood Drive, and Gaillard Center at 95 Calhoun Street.

Art will be displayed in the Charleston Place Ballroom and Grand Hallway at 205 Meeting Street. Art includes the work of numerous renowned painters and sculptors. Click here to see this year’s official event poster by painter Kyle Sims. The original painting for the 2016 poster will be available for auction during the VIP Preview Gala on Thursday, February 11. Attending as a VIP at Patron level costs $200 for 2 badges and includes private viewing hours, reserved seating at all Gaillard Center presentations, priority entry to all SEWE exhibits/programs, VIP shuttle, and a signed 2016 poster.

Visit their VIP tickets page for more information. Shuttle transportation and exhibit locations can be seen here. The SEWE shuttle is free for ticket and badge holders during show hours. SEWE strongly encourages making use of the shuttles, as parking is very limited. Note that leashed dogs are allowed at outdoor SEWE venues but NOT on the shuttles.

In addition to the exhibits, a wide array of events will be offered, such as art auctions, chef demonstrations, Dockdogs® competitions, dog retrieving demonstrations, educational events, fishing-related events, children’s events, and social events. Visit their events page for full descriptions and schedules. Most of all, have fun! SEWE is one of Charleston’s biggest and most popular yearly events, and offers a little (or a lot) for everyone!