This weekend’s Smoke on the Water is more than just about crowning a whole-hog barbecue champion, selection the king, or queen, of area chili cookers and trying some of that barbecue and chili.

Yes, Smoke on the Water is one of Washington’s signature festivals. This year’s North Carolina whole-hog barbecue champion will be cooking in the barbecue contest. That state champion is none other than Washington’s own Arthur Williams.

Smoke on the Water is a major fundraiser for Washington Noon Rotary. Money raised by Smoke on the Water will be used by Rotarians to make the community a better place to live through improvement projects. Some of the money will be used to provide scholarships to our brightest and most promising young people. Hopefully, some of them will return home after furthering their education, become Rotarians, make a positive difference in their community and help other young people do the same.

By going to Smoke on the Water and buying barbecue sandwiches, barbecue by the pound or a container of chili, area residents and visitors are making an investment in the community through Washington Noon Rotary. Attending Smoke on the Water is a way for the public to give back to the community by giving to Washington Noon Rotary, which has long invested in Washington and surrounding environs.

Yes, a barbecue champion will be crowned Saturday, along with a chili champion, but the real winner — once this Smoke on the Water weekend is said and done — will be the Washington and its residents. They stand to benefit for years to come because of this year’s Smoke on the Water, past Smoke on the Water events and future Smoke on the Water festivals.

Buy some barbecue this weekend, enjoy Smoke on the Water and help Washington Noon Rotary make Washington a better place to live, work and raise a family.