Paducah’s Barbecue on the River begins Thursday morning at 11 in downtown Paducah. But the scent of smoked barbecue is already hovering over camps as more than 40 teams of Circuit Cookers and Back-Yard Cookers from Western Kentucky and beyond cook up more than 60 tons of meat in hopes of taking home the coveted Grand Champion trophy.

Organizer David Boggs says they've expanded the "family fun area" near the parking lot of the former Executive Inn. "You'll see the large tent will be put up with covered seating. There will be tables and chairs that families can sit down and eat." Also the Zorb hampster-like ball that allows children to roll inside on the water and the trampoline where kids can get strapped in and bounce away will be back.

Western Kentucky is known for its barbecue and Boggs said that's one big reason why Paducah's Barbecue on the River had been such a success as it begins its 18th year in downtown. "I think that's another thing that's another thing that's unique about Paducah and west Kentucky is that we are a very giving community.... Anybody that's cooking a food item down there is either giving all or a good portion of their proceeds to a local charity.

Events considered for KTIA’s Top 10 award are nominated by the Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) through a quarterly submission process. A panel of impartial judges selects the Top 10 Festivals & Events for each season. Criteria for selection include popularity of the event, its impact on the local tourism economy and its cultural or historical significance.

"As a festival we consider it a great honor to receive this award," Boggs said. "It is also an honor to all of the participants that work extremely hard raising a total of over $400,000 for 75 different charitable organizations."

For more information, visit the Barbecue on the River website at www.bbqontheriver.org <http://www.bbqontheriver.org/>.