Antiques Roadshow appraisers, crew members and producers were invited by the AETN Foundation to a casual dinner reception July 24, where they mingled with local donors and sponsors at the Junior League of Little Rock Building.
The Roadshow crew was in town because the show, which is broadcast locally on AETN, is on a six-city summer tour looking for hidden treasures. The next day at the Statehouse Convention Center, about 6,000 ticketholders brought items for appraisals.
At the reception, guests enjoyed Arkansas food and drinks including Whole Hog barbecue, an array of desserts by pattiCakes Bakery, and drinks from Diamond Bear Brewery and Post Familie Vineyards.
A short program included a presentation of an Arkansas Traveler certificate and framed print to Antiques Roadshow executive producer Marsha Bemko. “You folks in the South are so nice,” she said. “I’m from Boston. Folks in Boston are not this nice.”
After showing clips from the show, Bemko answered questions from guests. She also noted that Little Rock was the fifth city in the tour and that three episodes would be made from the 12 hours of taping.
Appraisers in attendance who regular viewers of the show might recognize included experts in furniture, Leslie Keno; jewelry, Kevin Zavian; toys, Noel Barrett; folk art, Allan Katz; and decorative arts, LaGina Austin, originally of Hardy, who now works in Marlborough, Mass., at Skinner Auctioneers.
The Little Rock shows will air as part of the 20th anniversary season beginning in January.