I don’t know about you, but right now I’m digging myself out from under 8 inches of snow from Sunday night’s snowstorm.

By now you likely need a break from this freezing, snowy, icy, unforgiving winter weather as I do.

A visit to the Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show, which launches Wednesday, should help assuage that landlocked cabin fever.

The largest show of its kind in our region, the event offers a wide array of boats, boating accessories, and on-the-water adventures. Not only will there be hundreds of vessels on display, but there will be plenty of interactive boating exhibits for the whole family.

Of course, the boats themselves are the major attraction of this show.

After almost 20 years of window shopping at this show and others, I took the plunge two years ago and put my money down on a new vessel — a 15-foot Boston Whaler, a Montauk 150. Because of my wife’s courageous battle with a fiercely aggressive case of ALS diagnosed last May, I rarely got to use it this past summer. Of course, that was the least of my worries.

If you happen to be in the market for a new boat, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a first-time boater or a seasoned pro; boat shows are the ultimate place to purchase a vessel of your own because you’ll find hundreds of boat brands and models side-by-side, many at reduced show prices, making it easy to compare options and find one that suits your needs.

But there’s s lot more happening at this show than just the buying and selling boats. Among these is Fin-atics Marine Supply of Ocean City, New Jersey, hosting on-water paddleboard demos in Space P4. On-water test rides are available on a first-come, first-served basis. And they’re open to anyone 10 and older. Demos are happening on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 1o a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kid-friendly components of the show include the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind toy boats of their own and bring them home as a show souvenir. The boat building feature will be open from Wednesday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Little anglers can try to “catch the big one” in a special ball-pit pond. It’s fin-tastic fun for anglers 8 year old and younger.

Geared more to adults than kids, the New Discover Boating Beach Club invites show attendees to enjoy island-inspired cocktails and mocktails, and engage in beach games. Nautical sketches will also be available with hand-drawn black-and-white caricatures to capture you, your boat name, or your dream boat and that make for great show keepsake on Saturday from 11:30 a.m-5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

And for anyone keen on improving their fishing skills, you can learn the art of casting from the fishing pros at Goose Hummock, a leading Northwest Saltwater Fishing Outfitter. The best part? All pointers will be given atop a 30-foot fishing tank. After hearing from the experts, feel free to shop the latest in saltwater fishing gear, products, and services.

Fred’s Shed How-To Center also makes a return engagement at the show where these folks will share boating tips, tricks, and do it yourself advice that’s useful to every boater. Stop by with your boating questions and maintenance issues; they will gladly help you.

There will be a handful of classic boats and race boats on display at the show including a restored 1951 wooden Chris Craft Holiday and a 1968 Steven Hydroplane powered by an L-88 427 cubic inch blower engine! (The latter is one of just three boats remaining that survived the harsh racing life.)

Would be anglers can also pose for a photo with the Big Catch, a 10-foot tuna caught near Novia Scotia. Also known as “Tiny Tuna,” this fish weighed in at a whopping 1,000 pounds. Or check out award-winning professional sand sculptor John Gowdy who will be transforming a pile of sand into an incredible work of art in Space F4.

The Fisherman Magazine will be hosting several fishing seminars that provide expert tips and tricks. Swing by for insider info covering various fishing topics — from proper rigging for big-game fishing to offshore angling to landing a trophy striper, a back bay doormat flounder, and everything in between. To catch a fishing seminar, check out the full seminar schedule at acboatshow.com. I’m planning on attending a Thursday seminar targeting doormat flounder.

All active and veteran military, active and retired first responders, and USCG and USCGA members will receive free admission on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Simply show your valid military/first responder/USCG or USCGA identification card along with a photo ID at Will Call to receive your complimentary ticket.

Hours Wednesday through Friday are noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. General admission (for those aged 13 and older) costs $20 per day, and children (12 and younger) are free with a paying adult. For more information on the show or to buy tickets online visit their website at www.acboatshow.com.

Greater Philadelphia Boat Show

Hard on the heels of its big brother in Atlantic City, the 27th Annual Greater Philadelphia Boat Show is slated to run at the Expo Center on Oaks, PA, from March 13-15. Although this show is dwarfed by the Atlantic City edition, it still exhibits a number of different brands of vessels including jet boats, pontoon boats, ski boats, deck boats and more. Tickets are $12 for adults with those age 16 and under admitted free with a paying adult. Hours are Friday from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information visit their website at www.phillyboatshow.com.

Tom Tatum is a freelance outdoors columnist. You can reach him at tatumt2@yahoo.com.