A ‘Roadshow’ moment

Since 1996 people have been digging through dusty boxes and musty trunks in the attic. They’ve looked closely at items for sale at the auction, and waited in line at the neighborhood estate sale.

They’ve all got one thing in common: They’re hoping for a “Roadshow” moment. Since “Antiques Roadshow” debuted on Public Television in 1996 more than three-quarters of a million appraisals have been done in 61 cities across the country.

“Roadshow” hopefuls wait in line to have their treasure appraised. If the news is good, and they have something rare and unusual, they get a shot at television. But they get to enjoy the show either way.

Tickets are sold in advance of each event. If you’d like to catch up on past episodes of “Antiques Roadshow,” or follow up on those episodes, visit www.pbs.org/roadshow.

Online you can scan a virtual scrapbook of the highlights of the last 10 years and watch the appraisals of the most expensive finds to come through the “Roadshow,” which include a Navaho blanket valued at as much as $500,000, and an ancient Tang Dynasty statue worth as much as $250,000. There is also a timeline of “Roadshow” history.

The program has garnered three Emmys and has legions of dedicated fans. The 2006 tour will be announced sometime this month.

This year, for the first time, “Antiques Roadshow” is holding a sweepstakes. The winner gets an in-house appraisal. How’s that for the ultimate “Roadshow” experience?