Christopher Rosko of Hoover accepts a $10,000 check from Saint Bernard Prep School President, Father Joel Martin. Rosko was the grand prize winner of the 2017 Bernard Blues and BBQ Giveaway. / Joyce Nix
CULLMAN – The first ever Bernard Blues and BBQ Festival is now in the books. Saint Bernard Prep School President Father Joel Martin declared the brand-new festival of Sept. 9 and 10 a success, and said the school plans to make the venture a tradition by continuing next September, the weekend after Labor Day.
“Visitors were very complimentary of the weekend and we heard nothing but wonderful reviews on the arts and crafts, entertainment and barbecue,” Martin said. Artisans were extremely pleased with what they termed a great first show.
Microwave Dave and the Nukes kicked off the weekend with the blues and immediately after lunch the crowd enjoyed Chimney Branch, a local bluegrass band in Cullman.
Sweet Licks Dixieland Jazz strolled the grounds on Sunday morning and found themselves entertaining the food tent patrons during their lunch hour.
Returning to her roots in Cullman, Nashville’s Coco O’Connor from Nashville graced the same St. Bernard stage she performed on some 30 years ago.
At the conclusion of the weekend on Sunday, a drawing was held for $11,850 in cash prizes. Christopher Rosko of Hoover claimed the top prize of $10,000; Saint Bernard alumnus Rafael San Juan, of Chicago, claimed the second prize of $1,000; George Pigan, of Maylene, Alabama won $500; while Betty Barrett, of Nashville, and James Lutz, of San Antonio, Texas won $250 and $100 respectively.
Martin said, “Our Bloomin’ Festival history, which began in 1985 under the direction of Joyce Nix, made the new venture a natural for us, and its success goes a long way toward assisting the good work of St. Bernard Prep School for the benefit of our students.”
