By SARAH LOW
For The Beachcomber

This weekend islanders will once again have the chance to find out how much their antiques and valuables are worth, and support Vashon’s heritage museum at the same time, at Vashon’s Own Road Show – Treasures in Your Attic, a fundraiser for the Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association.

The event was held for the first time last year, when it attracted more than 400 people, surprising event chair Patty Custer.

“I was very nervous last year. I thought it would flop, but it didn’t,” Custer said.

Included again this year are antique appraisals, live and silent auctions and vendor booths.

“The goal for the event is twofold,” Custer explained. “First, to get people to the museum, and second, to get items auctioned.”

Evaluations will cost $10 for two items, and silent auction bidding will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. The live auction, with auctioneer Steffon Moody, will start at noon. Volunteers are looking for donated auction items with values over $25. Booths are also available for $25 for those who would like to sell their own items. All proceeds will benefit the museum.

This year there will be a panel of nine experts on hand to evaluate participants’ heirlooms, antiques and collectibles. The panel includes several islanders, as well as Ernest Lopez, an advisor for the popular PBS series “Antiques Roadshow” and the director of the West Coast Clock Museum in Bellingham.

Not all on the panel are appraisers, Custer said. Some are dealers and others experts in a specific field.

“This group has such a wide range of expertise. We really wanted to respect everyone’s strengths,” she said.

Apart from the success of last year’s inaugural event, Custer says she was most surprised by the large numbers of paintings and Scrimshaw items that people brought.

“You just don’t know what will come in,” she said.

Last year’s event raised nearly $3,000 and Custer hopes to do better this year.

“I have such a wonderful committee and corporate sponsors. I’m very optimistic,” she said.

Vashon’s Own Road Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the museum’s rear garden. Admission is by donation, but no one will be turned away. Food will be available for purchase. For more information, call 463-7808 or email admin@vashonheritage.org.