Barbecue plates, live entertainment and a long-drive contest highlighted the inaugural Habitat for Humanity Rib-Off Saturday.

Clay Carmichael, one of the four organizers for the event, said 300 people attended the Rib-Off and that the group raised more than $4,000, to be split between the Selma and Tuscaloosa branches of Habitat for Humanity.

“We were really happy with the number of people that came out to support the event and the money that we raised for Habitat,” Carmichael said. “We’re so grateful for everyone that helped out and made the event possible.”

Six teams competed for the title of Rib-Off champions, a feat awarded to the four-person team known as “Ribs and Whiskey.”

“One of the best things about the event was the great food that was cooked by everyone,” said co-organizer Chad Woodruff. “The turnout we got, not only from the sponsors but from everybody from around this area plus Tuscaloosa, was also great. Just the general outpouring of support was definitely something to be excited about.”

Participants, who began setting up and cooking ribs as early as six hours before it was judged, were ranked according to their food’s presentation, creativity and flavor, as well as their redneck hors d’oeuvres that accompanied their ribs.

For $25, community members could purchase a general admission ticket to the event, which was hosted at the New Orleans Bar and Grill. All those who attended were given barbecue plates and drinks and were treated to live music and various competitions throughout the afternoon.

Bird Mott, who also helped organize the event, said he was pleased with the performance of the cooks, as well as the good samples of food handed out to those who attended the event.

“The participants are the ones who deserve most of the gratitude for doing this,”

Mott said. “They had to work all day out there in the heat and I really appreciate them and all the supporters they brought out with them.”

Organizers said they would definitely host a similar event next year.

“This is the first time we’ve done something like this and the fact that there was all kinds of other events happening around Selma and we still had a pretty decent turnout, raised money and people had fun is positive,” Mott said.