The Alabama River Chili Cook-off is nearly one month away, and organizers are beginning to put the final touches on this must-attend scrumptious event.

Local car dealership Moore-Stewart Ford recently signed on as the event’s headline sponsor.

Leslie Free, member of the event’s committee, said adding Moore-Stewart Ford as a headline sponsor checked off one of the big goals on the event’s to-do list.

“We just kind of asked them and they jumped right on it,” Free said of asking the dealership to sponsor the spicy event. “We’re excited that they were willing to jump on board and support Leadership and the community.”

The event, which had its inaugural kick off last March, is hosted by Leadership Selma-Dallas County Class 18.

Free said Moore-Stewart Ford will bring a few vehicles to showcase for the event, which will be held on Water Avenue Thursday, March 14.

As for other preparations for the cookoff, Free said planning is progressing well.

“We have 19 confirmed teams so far,” she said. “We’re just in the process of making sure we have the logistics part ironed out right now.”

Leslie said the event will be family friendly and many activities, other than chili tasting, have already been arranged for the evening.

“We’ll have a Pepsi wagon as well with pizza from Papa John’s and Pepsi products,” Free said. “We’re also going to have a karate demonstration from Karate Central.”

All proceeds for the event will benefit the Dallas County Family Resource Center.

“It’s just a great night for all families to come out and sample some good chili from all of our volunteers that get together a team,” Free said.

Registration fees for those teams wanting to compete is $75. General admission for those attending the night of the cookoff will remain $5.

For updated information on the event, visit Alabama River Chili Cookoff on Facebook. To register a team to compete, contact Becky Glaze at Henry Brick Company at 875-2600.