Approximately 1,200 men are expected for the Iron Works Men’s Ministry’s conference that begins tonight at the Covington Center Arena, but some tickets are still available.

Organizer Chris Jackson said, “We think we can accommodate 200 to 300 more, so we have some tickets available at the door.”

Guest speakers include Rick Burgess, Scott Dawson and Michael Adler, but the fun begins with a huge tailgate event at 5 tonight, behind the arena. Jackson said there will be mostly meat served.

“We’ve heard of more and more people bringing food,” he said. “There’ll be people frying fish, cooking ribs, steak, deer meat, shrimp … about anything you can imagine.”

The pastor of the church with the best tailgate will win a prize.

Speakers will begin at 6:30 this evening, and the event continues at 9 Saturday morning and will go to lunch.

Burgess of “Rick and Bubba” fame is the keynote speaker, and will speak tonight and tomorrow.

Adler will be the worship leader. He hails from Shades Mountain Baptist Church and is bringing a band. Dawson is an evangelist.

Tickets are $25.

For information, call 334.343.3497.