When most people think of the Charleston Boat Show, they think of it as a place to buy a boat.

But there’s more to the show than striking a deal on a new dream boat. The show typically draws thousands of families and kids to what has become an annual wintertime get-together for the boating and fishing crowd.

The 30th annual Charleston Boat Show, the Lowcountry’s largest boat show and sale, will be held Jan. 22–24 at the North Charleston Convention Center.

“This particular show is always so much fun,” says Jacqui Bomar, president of JBM & Associates, an event management and marketing company that oversees the show. “It’s a lot of families, and it’s a lot of the same people. It’s like this kick-off to the boating season and the fishing season. I just hope people will come on out and support the dealers.”

In addition to row upon row of boats, the show also includes booths for a variety of marine-related businesses, from local tackle shops and lure manufacturers to marine insurance agents and lenders.

For the kids, Celebrity Capt. Don Dingman of the syndicated TV show “Hook the Future” will hold fishing clinics for children. Dingman’s clinics will teach kids all they need to know about fishing including lure selection, how to use artificial bait, fish-fighting techniques, (where he puts the kids in a fighting harness to teach them how to fight large fish) and fishing the water column. Clinics are for children ages 4 to 15.

“By the end, all the parents are raising their hands asking questions,” Dingman says. “It’s a little different. We actually teach the kids how to fish, and we’re not trying to sell a product to do it.”

Every kid wins a prize during a raffle at the end of the seminar –

from T-shirts to fishing tackle. The new season of “Hook the Future” starts in early January on Comcast CSS.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ fishing simulator is always a big hit.

“It’s like virtual fishing,” Bomar says. “Adults like it as much as kids.”

Larry Rackley of Yellowfin Gallery will also offer kids’ art classes.

“There’s about $1,500 worth of kid’s fishing gear that will be given away,” Bomar says.

Other fun activities for the kids include face painting and balloon art and inflatables.

One new vendor that caught Bomar’s eye is Ella Vickers, who will be exhibiting handcrafted bags and totes and from her Recycled Sailcloth Collection.

“She designs these beautiful pocketbooks and big bags out of sailcloth,” Bomar says. “They’re amazing.”

Vickers’ collection includes diaper bags, reusable grocery bags and dog beds.

The event also will feature fishing seminars with top local guides covering a variety of inshore and offshore techniques.

This year’s admission price has dropped from $9 to $8, and those who bring five canned goods will receive an additional $2 off. All of the food will be donated to the Lowcountry Food Bank.

The three-day event usually attracts between 7,000 and 10,000 people, Bomar says, and this is a great opportunity to collect a lot of canned goods.

“We are really excited to be able to give back to the community through this food drive.”

Lowcountry Boils will provide Frogmore stew, barbecue pulled- pork sandwiches, boiled peanuts and more.

The Charleston Boat Show is sponsored by West Marine and Sea Tow. Stage presence sponsors are WEZL 103.5 and Tideline magazine. For more information about the show, visit www.thecharlestonboatshow.com.