Lions Club Fair Park will be rocking and rolling Saturday for the Blackbelt Benefit Group’s third annual Rock ‘N’ Ribs Benefit.

The event, which is scheduled to start at 1 p.m., will benefit Grow Selma and its Mill Village Community Garden and Food Park across from the old Phillies Cigar Plant.

“We’re putting the fun back in fundraising, and that is what it’s all about,” said Carl Bowline, a member of BBG. “Instead of going after these people’s money that are the same folks in Selma every time, we try to reach out of the community to get folks to come in and spend their money here. In turn, we turn around and give that money to local nonprofits.”

Tickets have been on sale since January, and Bowline expects a big turnout.

“Tickets sale have been pretty good. I anticipate a good turnout if the weather holds,” Bowline said. “If you look at the successes of the chili cookoff and the success of the Central Alabama Crawfish Festival, people in Selma are hungry for good things to do, and they’re hungry for good food too.”

Good food is just what people can expect that come through the gates at Lions Club Fair Park Saturday. Much like the Alabama River Chili Cookoff, teams will compete against each other in a rib-off.

“If you’ve got any acid reflux issues or heartburn issues, go ahead and bring you some antacid,” Bowline said. “Take care of that because you’re going to get a lot of good barbecue sauces and a lot of good flavors of those ribs.”

Fifteen teams of four will take their best shot at cooking their best ribs for people to feast on. Each team’s ribs will be judged on presentation, creativity, flavor, texture and their redneck hors d’oeuvres.

“It is just great,” Bowline said.

“Everybody has a lot of camaraderie, great fellowship a lot of friendship and they’re trying to work together to make Selma a better place.”

But the benefit isn’t just about pigging out on ribs, it’s also about good music. People can expect to hear Big Nekkid Reunion, the Michael Curtis Family Band and the headliner of the show, Lucero.

“One of the things that makes Rock ‘N’ Ribs Benefit so great is that the level of talent we bring in musically speaking brings people form out of town in,” Bowline said.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate the day of the event or online at www.blackbeltbenefitgroup.org for $10, $20 and $25. Kids 12 and under are free.