Sprawling Great Alaska Sportsman Show kicks off Thursday

When the 34th-annual Great Alaska Sportsman Show kicks off Thursday at the Sullivan and Ben Boeke arenas, there will be booths, workshops and seminars focused on sport fishing, hunting and camping as usual.

But there will be some twists — learning about stand-up paddleboarding, catching a halibut from a kayak and perfecting your flycasting.

The always-popular show for winter-weary Alaskans runs 4-9 p.m. Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $11 for adults, $3 for children 2-12 years old and free for kids even younger. A full-show pass is $18.

Parking is $6, but free shuttle buses from the Midtown Walmart and Northway Mall (near Rock Wood Fired Kitchen) start at 3 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The popular kids fishing pond will be back in business, and there is an array of seminars led by Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologists and other experts.

A map of vendor booths and the seminar schedule is online at www.greatalaskasportsmanshow.com.