FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2011
CONTACT: Angie Hatton, Public Relations Coordinator, Paducah Rotaract
Cell: 270-217-4832
angela.hatton@murraystate.edu
First-Ever People’s Choice Awards a Hit at Barbeque on the River
Paducah Rotaract raises more than $4,000 for non-profit work in McCracken County
The first-ever Barbeque on the River People’s Choice Awards, hosted by Paducah Rotaract, brought in $4,028 during the festival, held Sept. 22 -24 in downtown Paducah. Local people and teams bought tickets for $1 each to cast their votes. Prizes were awarded in seven categories.
The top three teams in each category were announced at the awards ceremony Saturday, Sept. 24. The first place in each category received a trophy, and bragging rights for the year.
The top teams were, as follows: Best Chicken, Tommy Q’s – winner, Whalers “Cue” – first runner-up, Kiwanis – second runner-up; Best Pulled Pork, Smoke Shack – winner, Larry, Darrell & Darrell – first runner-up, Draper’s BBQ – second runner-up; Best Sauce, Draper’s BBQ – winner, Smokey D’s – first runner-up, Cookin’ Pigs – second runner-up; Best Ribs, Hardwood Café – winner, Whalers “Cue” – first runner-up, Smoke Shack – second runner-up; Best Team Spirit, Tommy Q’s – winner, Lenny’s – first runner-up, Smoke Shack – second runner-up; Best Lookin’ Crew, Lenny’s – winner, Buzzard Brothers and Boudin Man, second runners-up; Best BBQ Experience, Smoke Shack – winner, Hardwood Gang – first runner-up, Hardwood Café – second runner-up.
“The most lasting impression I have from the whole event is how wonderfully charitable the public, and the teams were,” said Sheloa Nichols, Paducah Rotaract vice president and People’s Choice Awards committee chair. “They were so supportive of our goal. I am especially proud of our Rotaract volunteers.”
The proceeds from the event will be filtered back into the McCracken County community through Paducah Rotaract and Barbeque on the River.
“The money raised helps to keep the cost down to barbeque contestants next year,” said David Boggs, Barbeque on the River executive director. “Because we’re a charitable event, we try to keep it as affordable as we can.”
“We’re excited about the possibilities of this money to affect Rotaract’s work in the community,” said Brandi Harless, Rotaract president. “It will be especially helpful as we move into the Christmas season.”
Boggs praised Rotaract’s involvement as award hosts. “I’m very pleased with the enthusiasm Rotaract had. It was infectious to the barbeque contestants,” he said.
“Barbeque teams came by throughout the festival to check on their standings, and when the winners were announced Saturday afternoon, there was as much cheering for the People’s Choice as there was for the panel judging,” said Angie Hatton, Paducah Rotaract public relations coordinator.
“Now that we have established a solid foundation for ourselves at Barbeque on the River, I look forward to making some exciting new changes, while keeping with the overall theme of People’s Choice,” said Nichols. “I think 2012 will be an even bigger success!”
The People’s Choice Awards were sponsored by the Rotary Club of Paducah, Independence Bank, Paducah Printing, Jenny’s Day Spa, Innovations Branding, EMP (Emerging Media Productions), Enterprise Car Rental, Residence Inn Mariott and Unlimited Graphics.
Paducah Rotaract is a community and international service organization for 18 – 30 year old men and women. It is a subsidiary of the Rotary Club. Meetings are held the first Monday of the month at the Yeiser Art Center, 200 Broadway, from 6-7 p.m. For more information, find “Paducah Rotaract” on Facebook.
Below, see pictures of Rotaractors with the first-place winners!
Rotaract Paducah 