Tailgate Challenge draws large crowd to Bell Center

The Bell Center in Homewood hosted its 11th Annual Tailgate Challenge on Saturday, August 24, with a large crowd turning out on a warm, sunny day to support the center and welcome the coming of a new football season.

The event typically involves as many as 40 local companies and groups of college football fans who set up tents along 29th Court South and serve tailgate-style food to attendees.

Among the teams represented at this year’s event were Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Mississippi State, Texas and Missouri.

Local celebrity judges were also scheduled to rank the tents in several categories — best food, best drink, team spirit, best all-around and people’s choice.

The Tailgate Challenge supports The Bell Center’s work with families of children from birth to 3 years old who are at risk for developmental delay, as they transition from early intervention to preschool services. 

This year’s event was sponsored by Encompass Health, a Birmingham provider of inpatient rehabilitation, home health and hospice care.

For more about the Bell Center and its work, call 879-3417 or go to thebellcenter.org.