BBQ on the River is an annual festival held each fall in downtown Paducah, Kentucky, on the Ohio riverfront. The goal of the event has remained the same since its inception: raise money for local charities and highlight some of Kentucky’s finest barbecue chefs. 

Created in 1995 by Paducah local Susie Coiner and, as the festival evolved, Carol Gault, the event started as an ode to Kentucky barbecue and has since grown into one of the region’s largest annual events. 

BBQ on the River brings together the region’s best entertainment, southern dessert creators, and of course, good, Southern BBQ. The tradition is a beloved community event, drawing more than 20,000 regional and out-of-state guests — all for the overarching purpose of raising money for local charities.