SAN MARCOS -- Stuart and Diane Wright sat patiently at the appraisers table Saturday afternoon during the San Marcos Antique and Appraisal Fair, waiting for word on whether a family heirloom -- a pair of antique covered urns -- was meant for the auction block or a garage sale.

Stuart Wright said his grandmother purchased the urns, which were trimmed with gold and decorated with floral designs, in Europe in 1929 and they have been in his family ever since.

"We wanted to find out how careful we should be with it," said Wright, pointing to one of the urns. "We don't know anything about it, so it'll be interesting to find out."

After consulting a dictionary on markings and examining the hand-painted piece with a magnifying glass, Lynne E. Cook, an antique shop owner who has been in the business for more than 30 years, determined the heirloom was crafted in Austria, dated to the 1800s and was worth about $2,000 to $3,000 for both.

"We'll tell the kids not to put these in a garage sale when we go," said Stuart Wright, chuckling once his and his wife's curiosity was satisfied.

For $7 an item, residents received a verbal estimate of value from four professional appraisers, who examined everything from tapestries to musical instruments Saturday. About 300 people turned out for the city's fifth annual fair at the Williams Barn in Walnut Grove Park to shop for antiques and learn whether their heirlooms were trash or treasure.

"Sometimes it's not even so much about the value but the history," said Cathy Cronin, recreation supervisor for the city, who organized the event. Cronin said that while the appraisers can't always give a definite value for an item, they do take the time to tell owners the history and origin of their antiques.

"These are things people may have had stored up in an attic or garage for a long time and now they know where it came from," said Cronin.

Diane Wright said that though neither she nor her husband are collectors, the event was informational and fun. She picked up an antique tea set for her granddaughter from one of the fair's 13 vendors, who were hawking everything from antique glassware to vintage clothing and jewelry, dolls to collectibles.

Escondido resident Dottie Zenski and her husband displayed an array of unique items at their booth, including a Sadler teapot and a restored 1932 cedar chest. She said she had an oriental rug from the turn of the century appraised earlier in the day and discovered it was worth $85. She turned around and sold it for about half the price.

"We want to make sure we don't overcharge someone … we're very careful about that," said the senior, who has been selling family items and antiques purchased from estate sales at the fair for the past three years. "It gives me a good feeling to know someone else will appreciate it. Everyone wants a bargain, and I think here is where they can find it."

Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 761-4404 or nibrahim@nctimes.com.