Barbeque on the River awarded its beer garden contract to Family Services Society Wednesday, after the BBQ board and Paducah Symphony Orchestra publicly disagreed on their 19-year-agreement. The board also announced there will be a smaller, second beer garden near the Farmer's Market, which will be run by West Kentucky Futbol Club.
Four organizations sent in paperwork to be considered in May, and a three-person independent committee not associated with the board scored each proposal individually and gave a report to the board. Those committee members were not identified. Each of the four organizations gave a presentation to the board, with guests in attendance. They submitted ideas for how to improve the beer garden, plans for how they would staff the area, and provided information on how they have completed similar projects or events. The two contracts were awarded by unanimous vote.
The other two organizations who applied were Paducah Philanthropic Committee and Balkis Temple #157.
