COLUMBIA -- From old to new, metal to plastic, an array of toy soldiers and military collectibles can be bought, traded or simply admired at the South Carolina State Museum's Southeastern Toy Soldier Show beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.

More than 30 exhibitors from across the South will display their collections of "military miniatures" in this annual presentation.

"The toy soldiers represent every period of history as well as a variety of decades of their manufacture," said Meika Samuel, the museum's director of education and programs. "Past shows have included such non-traditional figures as Hannibal and his elephants, Vikings, and Russian czars and czarinas."

Toy soldiers will not be the only objects of interest. Miniature tanks, planes, cannons and vehicles, as well as books and related items, will also be available for purchase from exhibitors.

More military miniatures will be on display in the South Carolina Military Miniature Society's annual diorama.

"This year's depiction portrays the building of the Great Pyramid at Giza during the Old Kingdom (2600-2100 B.C.) for the Pharaoh Khufu, showing the construction of the pyramid with the Pharaoh visiting the site," said Fritz Hamer, chief curator of history.

"The society's members conducted extensive research so that the diorama accurately reflects the period. I've worked with these people for 17 years, and every year they amaze me! They have a lot of patience to do such fine work!"

Guests will also see living history reenactments on the museum's front grounds. Demonstrations of how soldiers camped out, trained, lived and more will be presented during the day. Reenactors will recreate Civil War and World War II British soldiers, and Roman legionnaires. In addition, military vehicles from the World War II and Vietnam eras will be shown.

Admission to the show is free with museum admission or membership.

For more information about the Southeastern Toy Soldier Show or the military miniature diorama, call Hamer at 803-898-4921.

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