By TYRA JACKSON | The Selma Times-Journal

A wet forecast for Thursday will result in the Alabama River Chili Cookoff being postponed until April. The annual event will now be held April 2 at 3:30 p.m.

Cookoff organizers held a team captain’s meeting Tuesday evening at Trustmark Bank to discuss their game plan.

Ebony Rose, chair of the fourth annual cookoff, believes the date change will not affect the fundraiser and that people will come out to Water Avenue in just as large of crowds in April.

“I’m excited about the new date,” she said. “I welcome change. So, the new date would be good.”

Benefits from this year’s cookoff will go to SABRA Sanctuary, a Selma shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Teams say the new date will make no difference in their support of the cause. Charlie Morgan, who won the cookoff in 2013 with Trustmark, said he would still be there, but hopes to win this time with Blue Jean Church. He said he would rather see everyone come out on a beautiful day, instead of a rainy one.

“I go to have a good time and enjoy the people that are going to be there,” he said. “So, if I win that would be great. If I don’t win, my pot’s going to be empty at the end of the day that’s what makes it worthwhile to me.”

Meteorologist Aaron Stevens of the National Weather Service in Birmingham said there is a 70 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms on Thursday.

The new April date will be rain or shine, Rose said.

“We’re not changing it again,” she said. “We’re just going to put on our rain boots and rain jackets to have a chili cookoff in the rain with a smile on our faces. That’s all you need for a little sunshine.”

Leadership Selma and Dallas County Class XVII hosts the annual charity event. Gates will open at 10 a.m. for teams to set up, and cooking starts at 12 p.m. The public can come out starting at 4:30 p.m. There is a $5 admission.

One benefit of the date change means more teams can now register.

Those still interested in having a team should contact Leslie Free at (334) 878-4543.