The deadline to register for the fourth annual Alabama River Chili Cookoff is quickly approaching. So far, 28 teams have already signed up for the big day.

The cookoff is set for Thursday, March 12. The deadline to register is now Friday, March 6.

“We’ve extended it one more week because we want to give everybody an opportunity to have a team if they want to,” said Becky Glaze, a member the Leadership Selma-Dallas County Class XVIII. “If you come in a little late, we’re still going to accept you.”

Organizers hope to get closer to 40 teams by the registration deadline.

Leadership XVII is the host of the annual charity event, and this year they chose to donate proceeds to SABRA Sanctuary, which works to help provide shelter and other necessities to victims of domestic violence.

“Every year we select a different charity, and this year we selected SABRA Sanctuary,” Glaze said. “We’re very excited, and we hope this is our best year.”

More than 1,000 people turned out for last year’s chili festival, and Glaze said planners hope for a bigger turnout in 2015

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 per person.

Glaze said for everyone to come out and have fun and “eat all the chili you want.”

“[The teams] will just cook a lot of chili and be there and have a great time,” Glaze said.

Registration is $50 per team. Call Leslie Free at 878-4543 or Becky Glaze at 875-2600 for more information.