Dancing in the Streets

​They’ll be Swinging, Swaying, 
Records Playing, Dancing in the Streets
They’re dancing in Paducah (Dancing in the Streets)
Along the riverfront (Dancing in the Streets)
Slow Smoking the favorites (Dancing in the Streets)
A BBQ treasure hunt (Dancing in the Streets)


All we need is music, sweet music
And loads of ribs on shiny food trucks
Cold drinks and key-lime cheesecake, Mmm
Fried Twinkies for only eight bucks.



BBQ on the River (Dancing in the Streets)
It happens annually (Dancing in the Streets)
Proceeds go to good causes (Dancing in the Streets)
Locally-loved charities (Dancing in the Streets)

Dancing In the Streets

BBQ on the River is a once-a-year affair
The Grands have a blast, as does everyone there.
Gamma spoils them rotten by buying frivolous things
Including fuzzy hats and Tachi swords ‘Ba-da-Bing.’


As summer departs and fall arrives
It’s kind of ‘cool’ and all that jive.
Downtown is hopping each September
Folks start talking about BBQ on the River.



The first of three days has the lightest crowds
Food lines are shorter, noise levels less loud.
Sis strains to hear as decibels rise
Still, she’s a trouper and rolls with the tide.


Gam parallel parks the car on Broadway
In front of Stella’s, not too far away.
In two short blocks, there’s plenty of action
A sea of white tents is a welcomed attraction.



The crew strolls along when they come across
a six-foot yellow chicken in all the chaos
He’s dancing a jig while shaking tail feathers
Grands are in stitches, slapping knees together.

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Gam scours tents to find face-painting
A tradition the Grands have long been creating.
So many designs from which to choose
Princess, Mardi Gras, or a brown moose.


Sis is decisive and picks a tiger
Pink, teal, and white, it could be a fighter!
Bubba shakes his head, ‘no paint for me’
He plops on the ground with a skinned knee.

Climb the stool so the artist may create
Sis’ sweet face is the perfect slate.
Sis doesn’t move, blinks only twice
The artist dots white paint around the eyes.


A sweep of pink paint across the forehead.
The perfect shade, no purple or red.
Cheeks colored teal with a bit of glitter
Black lines add depth to make the critter.



Using black and teal, the artist does compose
A tiger’s snout on Sis’ little nose.
Glitter sprinkled lightly, the perfect touch
Picture with Bubba in a tight clutch.

​Through the flood gates close the river
Musicians play and sound superior.
Guitars and drums, a singer too
Playing tunes rock/rhythm and blues.


The Grands hear a steamboat’s calliope deliver
The greatest hits from the artist John Denver.
Take me home country road to the place I belong
The music’s so fun, the Grands sing along.

​Running up and down on the rocks by the shore
Free like a bird, Gam watches them soar.
Time to sit down and take in the view
There’s so much to see and much more to do.


Let’s check out the vendors to see what they’ve got
Slush puppies, fudge cakes, and more stuff that’s hot.
They walk to the end of the road and stop
We’ve seen everything time is ticking ‘tick tock.’

​Too excited to eat, the Grands want to play
The blow-ups are waiting on display.
There’s a maze, an obstacle course,
​and a giant monster truck.
Make sure you’re tall enough, don’t want to get stuck.


Sis and Bubba jump with a five-minute timer
Make each minute count climb higher and higher.
The monster truck is tall, at least 20 steps
Slide down, hit two bumps, and pray it doesn’t collapse.

​“Just one more time,” begged the Grands to Gam.
It’s so much fun, they’re trying to cram
Every activity they see at the river
Into two hours like quicksilver.



As we start making our way to the car
The last booth is calling their names from afar.
Bubba picks a sword. It’s called a Tachi.
A wonky hat for Sis. Grands are full of malarkey.

​BBQ on the river is a beautiful event
Comparable to no other held in tiny tents.
Over $400,000 raised each year
To help local people who could use some cheer.


Keep on Dancing, Dancing in the Streets
BBQ on the River is a community treat.
Fun and games for all, it’s a treasure trove
Helping those in need is the way to go!