MONTGOMERY, AL - Community leaders in four Alabama cities will sample local barbecue sauces and send regional winners to the "BBQ Sauce-Off" championship on May 18 in Birmingham.

The regional competitions will begin May 4 in downtown Montgomery at the Southern Makers Festival and in Mobile at the Market on the Square.  The following Saturday competitions will be held in Decatur at the Decatur/Morgan County Farmers Market and in Tuscaloosa at the Tuscaloosa River Market.

Alabama Tourism Department's Brian Jones said the Sauce-Off is a follow up to the popular BBQ Bracket contest on Facebook that state tourism did last month. "We had more than 81,000 votes cast on our Alabama Food Facebook page with Jim ‘N Nick's ending up as our state winner. The BBQ Bracket was like a hit movie and the Sauce-Off is our sequel," Jones said.

Country star Brad Paisley will be performing at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater this summer as part of his Beat the Summer tour. Paisley will be joined by special guests Chris Young and Lee Brice.

The concert will be on Friday, June 14 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater Box Office, or charge by phone 800.745.3000.

Talladega, Alabama—In November, 1867 Swayne School was opened with 140 pupils. Two years later in 1869, the Talladega County Probate Judge lawfully issued a charter for Swayne School to exist as Talladega College. Still, 145 years later, the commitment to education and academic excellence continues.

On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12, Talladega College will confer bachelor’s degrees upon its 138th graduating class. The speaker set for that event is television star, actor, comedian and writer, Anthony Anderson. Anderson plays as Detective Kevin Bernard on NBC’s hit series, “Law & Order.” Anderson has appeared in over 20 films. He has had roles alongside actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Eddie Murphy, Jim Carrey, Jack Black, Steve Martin and many more.