DEMOPOLIS &045; The Alabama Power barbecue team donated their winnings from the Christmas on the River (COTR) cook off to the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce.

Team members Chris Cameron and Louie Padilla along with the director of the barbecue cook off, Paul Willingham presented the chamber with three checks totaling $750. The checks represent all the team’s winnings from the event.

The team, which competed in the professional division, won second place in the briquette contest winning $350, third place in the pork contest winning $250 and fourth place in the ribs contest winning $150. The team also placed third in the overall contest at the event.

President of the chamber of commerce Kelly Smith said the money donated will go into a night parade account to help rebuild for next year. She said that the tornado cause $6,000 to $8,000 worth of damage to the river parade floats.

Smith said that at one time there were around 40 floats from previous night parades in storage. She said that this has caused a major storage problem for the parade floats because the warehouse is running short on room.

Smith said that the COTR has done well financially the past two years and that it is time to reinvest in the event that the festivities are named for.

Smith said that by the new company would create new floats with moving pieces as well. She said that the company would bring the life and animation back to the parade.