Co-coordinator Susie Coiner said this year's theme is "Thank You," since the event would never have been successful and beneficial to so many without participation and attendance from folks in the area over the last quarter century. Coiner explained what makes the event so great - the variety of competitive cooking that the public can sample, while helping local charities.
"It's very rare that you can go to one space and try 30 different butts coming off the same truck, but cooked in an artistic way that everybody adds their flair to it. It's really cool, you don't see that everywhere, and that the public can consume that. That is one thing that we have not wavered from in 25 years, and I think that's what keeps us so strong," Coiner said. "We try to keep everybody in their lane, focused on their art, and I think they've done a fabulous job, and I would say that 50,000 people would attest to that, too."
Thirty competitive cookers, almost forty vendors selling "fixins," and about eighty non-food vendors will participate. New this year will be a second beer garden in a new location.
Coiner said, "Barbecue on the River is finally gonna break through those flood walls and we will have Cassidy's Cause sponsoring a second beer garden. It's gonna be beautiful, we have mapped it out, they are partnering with one of our famous barbecuers, J-Mac, so they will be providing sandwiches and nachos inside the beer garden."
Angie Jackson with Cassidy's Cause said the "Cassidy's Cause Saloon" will be using the Wilson Stage for seating with a great view. They hope to draw people who want to get away from the main beer garden and the main stage. People can also sit on the steps and socialize or watch football games on large-screen TV's.
Jackson said, "We are grateful to get the opportunity to do this. It's a huge part of how we plan our whole year with the proceeds that we get from Barbecue on the River. This will be our fifth year and it's one of our biggest fund raisers."
There may be a couple of other vendors in that area this year, but Coiner hopes involvement beyond the flood wall will increase in years to come, especially with more improvements in the riverfront area.
Also new this year is a Pepsi Pavilion in the Farmer's Market area, fulfilling the request by many who wanted a covered eating area. Jumbo televisions will show videos from local schools, footage from previous Barbecue on the River events, and interact live with patrons and fun activities. School of Smoke will be nearby as well, selling turkey legs, BBQ loaded potatoes, pork chops on a stick, grilled prime rib and butt fries. Their sales will benefit the McCracken County FFA Alumni and the Livingston County CTE Program.
A mandatory meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 5 at 5:30 pm at the Farmer's Market Pavilion for any vendor who will be cooking at the event. An overview of the competition and event will be given, with guidelines from city and county agencies who will be assisting - fire, police and health departments, along with public works. That's also when cookers will place their orders with the supplier, US Foods, for over 80,000 pounds of pork and chicken that will be prepared.
Coiner said she's grateful for US Foods and those who keep the food quality standards so high, since their mission is to: 1) Cook the best barbecue in the world, 2) Draw the most people to downtown Paducah, and 3) Raise the most money for charity.
"Porkstock," will once again kick off the event on Wednesday, September 25. This evening concert and food preview actually raises money for Barbecue on the River. Tables of ten can still be reserved. The event starts at 6:00 pm and The Cruisers will perform at 7:00 pm.
Last year's Barbecue on the River raised about $468,000 for over 75 charities by drawing 50,000 people to the riverfront.
On the Net:
Barbecue on the River website
