Part adventure, part history lesson, part treasure hunt!

Be part of the Antiques Roadshow adventure here in Boothbay, when the popular PBS show begins filming the morning of Wednesday, June 18. The three shows of this visit will air in 2026, between January and May, its 30th year.

In an interview Feb. 12, Executive Producer Marsha Bemko really wanted to tell the Boothbay Register the location for this major event, but there was still some “behind-the-scenes” business that had to be completed. But, she assured, the reveal is imminent.

Why has it taken 30 years for the Antiques Roadshow to travel here? Bemko explained the show started out only recording in convention centers, and Maine didn’t have anything large enough. Now the show is recorded in distinctive historic outdoor locations that also have indoor space.

“We really take up a big footprint between shooting setups and the appraisal setups,” said Bemko. “We also need a location with terrain people can navigate without risk and that is also a top consideration for locations. There are not many possible places in Maine, but Boothbay had a few and that's how it’s ended up this way. We are all really excited to get there!”

Got tickets? Bemko said Antique Roadshow fans and folks with items to bring are applying for the 2,000 pairs of tickets to the show of their choice and she recommends applying for tickets to the Boothbay show now, if you haven’t already. The deadline is March 24! Just go to www.pbs.org

While you’re on the website signing up for tickets, there’s also a little something called the Early Bird Ticket (EBT) contest. Just submit a photo of the item you plan to bring with a little story about why it is so good it should get you on the show. Fifteen people are EBTs at every show.

“We go through every single one of these submissions, and if there’s a good story, it’s totally worth competing with your neighbors to get a ticket!” Bemko said.

Another way to wrangle yourself a free appraisal, in addition to applying for one of those pairs among those 2,000 tickets, and the EBT, is to be a volunteer at the June 18 event. The Antiques Roadshow setup requires 120 volunteers who each receive breakfast, lunch, an AR hat and that coveted appraisal.

“We rely so much on volunteers. There’s really a lot of volunteerism that goes into the making (of the show) and I really believe that the road show really puts the 'public' in public television,” Bemko said.

Seventy-five experts/appraisers are assigned to each of the five locations each season. And each one can choose which of these is their first choice. Why so many? For starters, there must be seven appraisers for paintings alone. Bemko and the team are still working out who will be in Boothbay. Most Antique Roadshow fans watched Lisbon Falls appraiser Daniel Buck Sewell for years, but he will not be a member of the group coming to Boothbay. Bemko noted he hasn’t been as active with the program in recent years.

“Everyone has their favorite (appraiser) and that adds to the excitement, too,” she added.

Members of the press covering the event are encouraged to bring an item, too.

“Whether you bought the item because you care about it, or it was inherited ... whatever it is, you're going to bring something you're curious about,” said Bemko. “There's no substitute for learning that kind of information, even if it doesn't have a big dollar with it. It's a really nice day that way. And (she said with a chuckle), don’t bring something to test us, because we'll get it right!”

Massachusetts native Bemko hasn’t begun counting down the days to June 18 as yet, but she is very excited to be returning to Vacationland. Her first taste of Maine was when she was a child attending a summer camp in Sanford, and her freshman year at Nasson College in Springdale (closed since ‘83). During those college days, she and four friends rented a cottage across the street from the beach in Wells. Bemko worked in the York Animal Farm hot dog stand.

After briefly musing about whether or not the Farm was still there, Bemko said, “I have a very, very special affection for Maine and I can’t wait to get there.”

The Antique Roadshow airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on PBS.