The inaugural Bernard Blues and BBQ Arts and Music Festival set the tone in 2017 for what is expected to be a long-running event time goes by.

Returning to the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School, this year’s festival is set Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8-9.

“From year one, it’s kind of like Bloomin’ Festival; a lot depends on the weather first of all,” said festival Director Joyce Nix. “We had a great crowd last year and everyone seemed to enjoy the music, the food and other elements of the festival.”

This year, the music is returning with performances by The Blues Hammer Band, Sweet Licks Dixieland Jazz, De Ja’ Blue Horns and Cullman County’s own Bama Blue Grace Band.

“You run into date conflicts and Alabama football with any festival, so it’s a process. Bloomin’ Festival took years to get it to a certain point, but we’re well on the way with this one, we feel,” Nix said. “Even with other things going on, you have to be willing to take the next step to continue to grow through reviewing and improving what you offer.”

Nix says the show promises a new twist on tradition at St. Bernard. In addition to the variety of handmade arts and crafts, live musical performances will take place throughout the entire weekend.

“We’re really pleased with the music lineup this year and we’ll have a pumpkin painting contest with the arts and crafts since fall will be just around the corner,” she said. “The food is worth the drive from anywhere in the world,” Nix says. “Whether you enjoy hickory smoked pulled pork, barbeque ribs pulled off the grill, hamburgers or hotdogs, you will love Bernard Blues and BBQ. Freddie Day and his crew at Freddie Day Catering will be onsite the entire weekend providing the best of pulled pork, ribs and chicken wings in the USA.”

St. Bernard Abbey Monk bread may be purchased in addition to funnel cakes, strawberry waffles, and fried apple and peach pies.

At the conclusion of the show, St. Bernard Prep will give away more than $10,000 in cash prizes. 

“All the proceeds from Bernard Blues and Barbecue go to our work in educating today’s young people,” said Director of Development Father Marcus Voss. “People who support this event make it possible for us to offer the best education we can provide today’s students.”

The Blues Hammer Band will kick off the event on Sept, 8 from noon until 3 p.m. On Sept. 9, Sweet Licks Dixieland Jazz will perform from 10 a.m. – noon, followed by De Ja’ Blue Horns at noon. Bama Blue Grace will play at 2 p.m. 

Festival hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. Admission to the festival is a $5 donation; children 5 and under are free. Ave Maria Grotto is open for a reduced admission price of only $3. 

Businesses who would like to help with a sponsorship, may contact Nix at 256-255-5860. 

For more information, find Bernard Blues and Barbecue on Facebook; or visit stbernardprep.com.