CULLMAN, Ala. – After a year of COVID shutdowns, St. Bernard Prep’s annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair is returning April 17-18, 2021.
The school describes its festival as “a two-day juried arts festival attracting more than 25,000 visitors to the beautiful campus of St. Bernard Abbey and Preparatory School. Located adjacent to the school is the world-famous Ave Maria Grotto. The picturesque landscape of stone cut buildings on the grounds of Alabama’s only abbey provides a backdrop for the outdoor show. More than 150 booths are filled with artists demonstrating and exhibiting their handcrafted work. The festival is the largest fundraiser annually for the operation and maintenance of the school.”
Festival Director Joyce Nix said there has been a tremendous response from people across the Southeast.
“Vendors are thrilled that the festival is being held after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. This will most likely be our largest festival ever,” she said.
Artisans will showcase a wide variety of handcrafted items at the two-day juried event. Acclaimed Nashville band, Incognito Cartel, has been invited back to perform live on the festival stage all day Saturday after it received rave reviews during the 2020 Bernard Blues and Barbecue Festival.
The festival will culminate with the drawing for the 2021 sweepstakes, including the grand prize of a 2021 Jeep Renegade. You can purchase your sweepstakes entries and shop official festival merchandise at www.bloominfestival.com or one.bidpal.net/bloominfestival2021.
With the coronavirus pandemic still ongoing, the school said festival attendees can be assured that the Bloomin’ Festival team is taking every precaution possible to ensure another safe and successful event.
Said Nix, “We implemented strict safety and social distancing measures during Bernard Blues and Barbecue 2020 that worked well and provided attendees a safe and healthy outdoor environment. We aim to follow all recommended federal, state and local guidelines again for Bloomin’ Festival 2021 including hand sanitizing, visible signage, encouraging social distancing in booths and more. It will again be a safe event!”
At a glance
St. Bernard Prep School annual Bloomin’ Festival
Saturday and Sunday, April 17-18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
St. Bernard Abbey, 1600 St. Bernard Dr. SE, off U.S. Highway 278, just east of downtown Cullman
Admission is a $5 donation to St. Bernard Prep School; children 5 years and younger get in free
Handicap parking available
No pets please
The Ave Maria Grotto will also offer a reduced admission charge during the event.
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