The second annual People's Choice Awards allow the public to vote for during the festival. For $1, a ballot can be purchased to vote for any vendor in one of eight categories: BEST RIBS, BEST CHICKEN, BEST PULLED PORK, BEST SAUCE, BEST SIDE, BEST DESSERT, BEST LOOKIN’ CREW, and BEST BBQ EXPERIENCE. Due to popular demand, the group has added two new categories this year, BEST SIDE and BEST DESSERT, which will allow all food vendors to participate in the competition.
Ballots will be available for pre-sale at BBQ and More (321 Broadway in Paducah) and to vendors before the competition. Ballot boxes will be offered to all food vendor booths, and the public can also vote at the People’s Choice Awards booth at 2nd and Jefferson.
The vote totals on score boards in the Rotaract booth helps direct people to the most popular food at the festival, and visitors used the results last year to lead them what they were looking for, whether it be the best ribs, the best sauce or simply the best experience. During the festival, the score board at the People’s Choice Awards booth will be updated hourly with the current standings in all eight categories. The competition’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BBQPeoplesChoiceAwards, will also have regular updates. Trophies are presented to the winning teams at 4 pm Saturday, September 29th.
The People’s Choice Awards supports Barbecue on the River’s goal of raising as much money for charity as possible. Last year’s first annual event raised over $4,000 to benefit local non-profit organizations. Rotract Club is honored to help promote charities, generate buzz, and add some more fun for everyone at Barbecue on the River.
New to the competition this year, the voting public can also win. Visit the People’s Choice Award’s Facebook page during the festival to enter to win prizes donated by local businesses, including a free lunch for two from Midtown Market.
Rotaract members are young area professionals dedicated to making a difference through service in our community. Information about Rotaract can be found at www.facebook.com/paducahrotaract.
