A guide to the 2012 Southeastern Wildlife Exposition

Image by Dustin Van Wechel/SEWE The official poster design for SEWE '12.

(Updates at the bottom.)

Commonly known around these parts as "SEWE" and "the thing that dominates Marion Square and brings plenty of pickups downtown," the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition returns to Charleston on February 17, 18, and 19 (that's Friday-Sunday.)

With art exhibits, demonstrations, presentations and a plethora of other events the festival is expected to draw some 40,000 visitors. That scale can make the festival can be a bear to get your mind around.

If it's your first time, check out this official video about the festival and events calendar. You can also buy tickets in advance to all sorts of events. General admission tickets, VIP ticket packages and special event ticketing are all available online.

Look out for the Charleston City Paper's comprehensive SEWE guide as the festival draws nearer - it's your best bet for discovering all things wild. 

Update February 16: The exposition starts tomorrow and the Charleston City Paper's guide is out.

You can check it out online over here, but I'd recommend picking up on of the free print versions.