BY JESSE SCOTT

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

The shiny lamp in your garage is calling.

The mysterious, dusty art in your attic is whispering your name.

And so are all of the other valuable-looking knickknacks scattered throughout the nooks and crannies of your residence.

This weekend you can finally find out if your hidden treasures are truly treasure during the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center's "Cash in the Attic Weekend."

The weekend puts your cherished items in the spotlight and will feature a handful of world-renowned appraisers all in one spot, ready to appraise your personal objects, antiques and family keepsakes.

"At some of these events, we've come across some pretty wacky stuff and some pretty valuable stuff," said Tim Luke, a featured appraiser on HGTV's "Cash in the Attic" and participant on PBS' "Antiques Roadshow." "We've come across an Italian violin worth about $40,000 and a piece of Newcomb pottery worth about $20,000," he said.

"Cash in the Attic" weekend kicks off on Friday at the University of Mary Washington's Jepson Alumni Center with the FAMCC's 15th annual Silent Auction and Gala. Attendees can bid on a slew of extravagant gifts and trips, including the opportunity to have Luke come to their home for a custom appraisal of their items.

On Saturday, Luke will join his partner, Greg Strahm from TreasureQuest Appraisal Group in Florida, and local appraisers Arch Di Peppe and Bill Beck in Fredericksburg's Market Square. The appraisers will inspect items for $20 each or three for $50. In addition to giving an approximate value, the appraisers will provide background information for each item.

Proceeds from the events will support the FAMCC.

In preparation for Saturday's open appraisal session, the appraisers have a few simple tips.

"One of the most important things to be at these events is patient," said Luke. "We're here to help people understand what value means. Some people will come in with the highest expectations and have a sense of elevated value. The best way to see us is with little expectations and to have as much fun as possible. It really is an educational process."