Paducah Rotaract, BBQ on the River present 2nd Annual People's Choice Awards | Community Spirit

PADUCAH, KY (KFVS) - The Rotaract Club of Paducah will host the Barbecue on the River competition in downtown Paducah Thursday through Saturday, September 27 through 29.

The Rotaract Club is sponsored by the Paducah Rotary Club. The members are young area professionals dedicated to making a difference through service in our community.

The People's Choice Awards booth and leader boards are located at the corner of 2nd and Jefferson. The awards allow the public to vote for their favorites during the Barbecue on the River festival. For $1, you can buy a ballot 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, organizers say they have 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 People’s Choice Awards is a fun competition that gives the vendor teams a chance to share their passion for great food with increased recognition. The vote standing on the score boards helps direct people to the most popular food at the festival, and the public did use 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 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29.

The People’s Choice Awards supports Barbecue on the River’s goal of raising as much money for charity as possible. According to organizers, last year’s first annual event raised over $4,000 to benefit local non-profit organizations. Rotaract 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.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.