The cooler temperatures and shorter days aren't the only things that underscore the arrival of fall in Paducah. In just a matter of days, plumes of aromatic smoke will waft up from the riverfront as the Barbecue on the River takes over downtown for the twentieth time.
"We're getting things together pretty quickly, things are falling into place," said organizer David Boggs.
This year's 40,000-person pig-out is a far cry from the first event in 1995, which was contained to one Saturday and a single city parking lot. Twelve barbecue teams and twelve other vendors tried to quench the appetites of the inaugural crowd, but many teams ran out of barbecue by noon that day. The team of Larry, Darrell and Darrell were named the first ever grand champions, and they held the title for the first three years of the competition.
The event quickly swelled to encompass the entire riverfront and Farmers Market, tripled the number of competing barbecue teams, as well as local charity organizations serving side items as fundraisers for their upcoming projects. The original four cookoff categories have also grown to twelve, with 174 judges set to taste the cookers' best efforts this year.
The teams will sear, smoke and grill some 40 tons of pork and chicken, all while helping to raise almost a quarter million dollars for charity every year. "Every team that's cooking will donate at least twenty percent of their proceeds to charities, and many have always donated one hundred percent to charity."
While trophies, money and bragging rights are up for grabs, Boggs says this festival is unique among barbecue events because most festivals don't allow teams to sell to the public.
More live entertainment and a second beer garden have been added this year for the twentieth edition. Boggs explained, "We've still got the main stage beer garden which is being sponsored by Golden Eagle Distributing, and now Schafly's beer out of St. Louis will sponsor the second one and have more of a craft beer, next to a stage with more low key acoustic entertainment, down near the Farmer's Market."
Dozens more vendors at Old Market Days will also be open for business downtown during the event, and Saturday from 10-3 will be Marine Industry Day at the boat ramp, including tours of a river towboat and more.
The three-day celebration officially starts with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday morning, September 25th at 9 at the riverfront. Admission is free to wander the riverfront, enjoy the music, shop and eat through Saturday night the 27th.
For those who just can't wait until Thursday, the sixth annual Porkstock party will be held on Wednesday night the 24th. Porkstock tickets can be purchased from the BBQ on the River office at (270)534-5951, and range from ten to fifty dollars.
Boggs said the popular Backyard Cooker competition is also back this year. Entry details are on the BBQ on the River website:
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Paducah's Barbecue on the River
