GALLIPOLIS — The local “Antiques Roadshow” has become something of regular event at Bossard Memorial Library and something that library patrons look forward to, but this year’s roadshow will be a special one and will be dedicated to the memory of a library employee who especially enjoyed the event.

The ever-popular antiques roadshow event will return to the library this Saturday at 2 p.m. and will feature a memorial concert for former library employee Randy Callihan (1950-2011).

Callihan, who was the technology specialist at Bossard Library, emceed previous roadshows while he and his band entertained patrons with their bluegrass and country music.

This year, Callihan’s bandmates have reunited and will be performing a special concert in his memory.

“Randy was our emcee for that event, so, kind of as a tribute to him, in that he played a big role in the past antiques roadshows, members of the band known as the ‘Cherry Ridge Band’ — he played with them — are getting back together to do this memorial concert,” Library Director Debbie Saunders stated. “They will be performing the concert that evening in his memory and a lot of the songs that Randy did with them.”

While any are welcome to come and enjoy the music, individuals hoping to learn more about that possible treasure passed down through the generations or that unusual item picked up a yard sale, can speak with local antique dealers, collectors and auctioneers who will be present at the event to help discover the history of the items brought in.

Individuals will only be permitted to bring in three handheld items to the roadshow and, according to Saunders, weapons of any type, including guns, knives, machetes, etc., will not be allowed in the building for this event.

Additionally, due to space constraints, a limited number of antique experts will be able to work during the event, and, Saunders advised that, as individuals may have to wait to speak to the dealers and collectors, they are welcome to sample the free refreshments and live music.

“People shouldn’t expect to come and get right in, they may wait a little while, but we will have entertainment and refreshments and they can mingle with the other people and see what other treasures they have brought to the event while they are waiting,” Saunders said.

The local antique experts will be not only be utilizing their own experience to help discover the history of the antiques brought before them, but also the information provided in antique guides owned by the library and the antique database that can be accessed through the library’s web page.

According to Bossard Library Adult Services Associate Lynn Pauley, the event will be purely informational, and individuals should not expect an experience similar to those seen on the popular PBS television series.

“We’re not like the ‘Antiques Roadshow’ that you see on TV in that we’re going to have someone here who can definitely say, ‘at auction you’re going to get 20,000 dollars out of this — ‘” Pauley said.

” — but we can give them a good idea of the value and the database looks at what auction figures have been for a similar item,” Saunders added.

Every antique has a story and, as Pauley commented, the event may help event-goers to learn something about the items passed down through their family and the history surrounding them.

“It flushes out your family history,” Pauley said.

Saunders commented that family heirlooms are not the only items that may be brought in, but the dealers and collectors can also help uncover what items picked up at local flea markets or yard sales may be worth.

“In past years we’ve had people who were pleasantly surprised and others that were disappointed,” Saunders said.

According to Saunders, during a recent survey of library patrons, the antiques roadshow was one of the most popular events listed.

“This was a heavily requested program on our survey and we are also trying to incorporate a lot of the other programs that have been requested,” she said. “A lot of the programs that were asked for, we have either incorporated or have plans to work on those.”

Saunders further stated that as the library continues to plan future events that may attract individuals who may not necessarily frequent the library, her hope is to gain new library patrons.

“Maybe you are not someone who is a regular reader, but you would like to come to some of these programs — we welcome you to those,” she said. “Hopefully, we will win them over as regular patrons when they come in to see what all the library has to offer. The library does offer something for everyone.”

For more information on upcoming events at the library, call (740) 446-READ (7323). To access the database “P4A Antiques Reference,” library patrons can visit the library’s website at www.bossard.lib.oh.us, click on the “reference” section on the left pane and then click on “P4A Antiques Reference.” Patrons must have their library card number to access the database.

As with many other library events, the Friends of Bossard Library are co-sponsoring this event.