CULLMAN, Ala. – St. Bernard Prep School will host the eighth annual Bernard Blues & BBQ Arts & Crafts Festival Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-8, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day, on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School. It will be, according to organizers, “an unforgettable weekend of mouthwatering barbecue, artisanal crafts and soul-stirring blues music.”
“The festival promises a sizzling spectacle with dozens of Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Backyard Cook teams igniting the school parking lot in heated battles of BBQ chicken and ribs. Talented teams from across the Southeastern United States will compete in the 2nd Annual Bernard Blues and BBQ Competition, earning points on the KSBS circuit. Many will be vying for glory in the epic Battle Royal with five other competitions in Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia,” said a press release from the school.
Friday evening, Sept. 6, will see a sanctioned one-meat chicken contest. On Saturday, teams will go head-to-head in a Backyard competition featuring chicken and ribs.
“Artisans will transform the campus into a vibrant marketplace, offering a treasure trove of handmade wares and specialty food items. Attendees can savor delectable treats like fresh-baked goods, strawberry waffles, fresh-squeezed lemonade, classic monks’ bread, cookies and, of course, BBQ chicken, ribs and pulled pork. Save room for a funnel cake, ice cream cone or half dozen mini donuts,” continued the release.
The festival lineup includes four blues bands set to perform throughout the weekend:
- Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, Elnora Spencer from Birmingham
- Saturday, noon-2 p.m., Kingfish
- Sunday, noon-2 p.m., Debbie Bond and Radiator Rick of Tuscaloosa
- Sunday, 2-4 p.m., Earl Williams and the Juke Band
Festival Director Joyce Nix expressed her excitement, saying, “We have a fantastic lineup of artisans, and I’m sure everyone will find special gifts for Christmas, birthdays or simply because they like it.”
Festival T-shirts and sweepstakes tickets are available for early purchase on the festival website or at the Administration Building office. There will be a chance to win over $10,000 in cash prizes during the sweepstakes drawing at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Nix emphasized the importance of the festival, stating, “The school relies on the festivals held annually at St. Bernard to carry out our mission to cultivate a love of learning and a life of virtue in young men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.”
“The festival is staffed by dedicated volunteers, including students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of St. Bernard. It is the generous support of our community and sponsors, including Alabama Senator Garlan Gudger, State Representatives Corey Harbison and Randall Shedd, LeafFilter, O.F. Richter & Sons, Eidson and Associates, Pepsi, The Flying Carpet, Mitch Smith Chevrolet, Merchants Bank, Visit Cullman, Kassouf & Co., Cullman Jefferson Gas, Cullman Cosmetic Dentistry, First Community Bank, Citizens Bank and Wal-Mart Distribution,” said the release.
An admission donation of $10 is requested, and children 12 and younger get in free. No pets please. St. Bernard is located at 1600 St. Bernard Dr. SE in Cullman.
For more information, visit www.stbernardprep.com/bernard-blues-bbq.
