Here are example s of some items that are exempt from taxes during the tax-free holiday period:  Clothing  Clothing accessories like hats, scarves, hosiery and handbags  Footwear  School supplies such as pens, pencils, paper, binders, computers and software, printers, lunch boxes and calculators  Bedroom and bathroom items like comforter and sheet sets, bath towels, pillows, shower curtains, bath rugs and mats Another school year is right around the corner ... and so are the savings.

Those in search of bargains won’t have to look far next weekend as South Carolina holds its annual tax-free holiday on purchases related to preparing children for their return to school. Clothing items and school supplies such as pens, pencils and notebooks, in addition to computers and linens, are among the purchases which will be sold without the state’s 6 percent sales tax during a three-day period beginning at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, and ending at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8.

South Carolina first adopted the tax-free weekend in 2000, creating a state law requiring the first weekend each August be tax-free in an effort to allow state residents the opportunity to gear up for the upcoming school year. The weekend has become the third-busiest shopping period statewide.

“This is definitely the big kickoff in this state in regard to school shopping,” said Prime Outlets — Gaffney Marketing Manager Leesa Bodden. “It is the largest holiday sales period for us aside from the weekend before Christmas and the weekend after Thanksgiving, so it’s something we look forward to and spend a lot of time getting ready for.”

According to the S.C. Department of Revenue, items exempt this weekend from the state sales tax include clothing, clothing accessories like hats, scarves, hosiery and handbags, footwear and school supplies such as pens, pencils, paper, binders, computers and software, printers, lunch boxes and calculators. Bedroom and bathroom items like comforter and sheet sets, bath towels, pillows, shower curtains, bath rugs and mats are also included.

Among the items not excused by the state sales tax holiday are jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, wallets, items for use in a business or those placed on a layaway or similarly deferred payment and delivery plans.

To help retailers and bargain hunters alike, the state did away with its Blue Laws restricting the sale of certain items and the hours which stores can be open on Sundays for the sales tax holiday. While that helps lure customers, Bodden said Prime Outlets — Gaffney is taking it a step further, with retailers holding an array of sales — some of which provide up to 65 percent in savings.

“Tax-free weekend is a big deal and we’re doing what we can to attract shoppers to Gaffney,” Bodden said.

The outlet also is taking a more aggressive approach this year in the wake of news Georgia will not be holding its tax holiday this year following several years offering shoppers an exemption on back to school items.

“Typically, we would have to compete with the Tanger Outlet Mall further down Interstate 85 in an effort to lure shoppers, but with Georgia not having a tax holiday this year we have done our best to advertise in that market in hope they will visit Gaffney and shop here,” Bodden said. “We really want to capitalize off the fact they are not having a sales tax holiday this year. Hopefully, this can reap some benefits for Gaffney.”

North Carolina, which also adopted a tax holiday, hoping to reap similar success as the Palmetto State, will also hold its tax-free weekend Aug. 6-8