Public television supporters Linda and Joe Ragland, of Ellijay, Ga., knew how to make sure they secured tickets to this summer’s taping of the popular “Antiques Roadshow” program here.

Their $400 contribution to WTCI earned them two tickets to have items appraised at the taping for the Public Broadcasting System’s most popular prime-time series.

“We donate anyway, but this time they got something extra,” Mrs. Ragland said.

Her husband collects antiques, so they have a couple of items, such as an inherited vase and a book, that they would like appraised, she said.

“We think the vase could be Tiffany, but we don’t know. I have a book that I think is signed by (the 28th U.S. President) Woodrow Wilson,” Mrs. Ragland said.

Only ticket holders will be allowed into the July 19 taping at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

Local viewers have requested more than 15,000 tickets online. Program officials will allocate 6,600 tickets randomly to 3,300 people, WTCI officials said.

The deadline to register for tickets online is April 20. Viewers will be notified by mid-May through mail or e-mail whether they will receive tickets.

All other tickets are reserved for those who pledge $400 or more to the WTCI membership campaign, station officials said.

Antiques Roadshow will tape three programs in Chattanooga as part of a six-state summer tour for segments that will air in 2009.

“This is a great opportunity for this community to see the most popular PBS program for the past seven years,” said Paul Groves, WTCI president and CEO.

Kevin Lusk, WTCI’s director of public information and community outreach, said demand for tickets to the show is not surprising. Most people have something stored away in their attic or basement and wonder about its monetary value, he said.

“They’re trying to guess if they have a treasure or an item not worth as much as they thought,” he said.