Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) —  Football season kicks off early in Orange Beach this weekend, with plenty of food on the menu. The Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off Challenge returns to The Wharf for its fourth year. This year's competition puts bacon in the spotlight, and fans will help decide the winners.

The event will be held this Saturday, August 22, from noon to 3 p.m. on the Marina Lawn at The Wharf. The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber is organizing the event, which is presented by Columbia Southern University.

This year's competitors will prepare bacon-inspired tailgate dishes for guests and judges. Professional and amateur cooking teams will bring their own creative ideas for turning bacon into something worthy of a football Saturday.

The stakes go beyond local bragging rights. Competitors are vying for a Golden Ticket to the World Food Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. The winner will earn the right to compete in the Bacon category on the national stage.

Admission is $20 and includes 10 tasting tickets to sample dishes prepared by the competing teams. Additional tasting tickets will be available for those who want to sample more entries. Guests will also have a say in the outcome by voting for the People's Choice Award, and the winning team will receive a trophy and prize package.

Fans are encouraged to dress for the occasion in their favorite team's colors and gear. Organizers will select a Best Dressed Fan during the event, adding another fun competition to the afternoon.

The event is designed to be more than just a cooking contest. The Marina Lawn will have the feel of a football tailgate, giving families and sports fans a place to eat, cheer for their favorite cooks, and get ready for the upcoming college football season. To add to the entertainment, live music will be playing at Portside during the day, with Tim Nowell scheduled to perform from noon until 4 p.m.

The Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off has become an annual late-summer event in Orange Beach. 

The Marina Lawn is located toward the waterfront side of The Wharf at 23101 Canal Road in Orange Beach. Parking is available around The Wharf, including nearby parking garages.

For those coming hungry, the message from organizers is simple: Sample the food, support the competitors, and wear your favorite team's colors as another football season gets underway on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

For more information, visit the Coastal Tailgate Cook-Off website.