Sunny skies and a large, hungry crowd is expected this weekend for the Bernard Blues & BBQ event at St. Bernard Abbey.

A fundraiser for St. Bernard Preparatory School, this marks the second year of the festival, which drew thousands of locals and visitors to the grounds last year for barbecue, music and arts and crafts.

Scheduled 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the festival features the sounds of The Blues Hammer Band, Sweet Licks Dixieland Jazz, De Ja’ Blue Horns and Cullman County’s own Bama Blue Grace Band.

And, of course, there is the food.

Mounds of pork barbecue, ribs, brats, burgers and hot dogs will be sizzling throughout the event. A limited supply of St. Bernard’s signature Monk Bread will also be available for purchase.

As in the past, vendors are carefully selected to show and sell arts and crafts. Some of the artists are local and others come from states across the country to participate.

“We felt like the response last year was overwhelmingly positive and we’re back bigger and better this year,’ said festival director Joyce Nix. “A lot of people will be amazed by Johnsonville’s grill when its set up. This is a special treat to have it here in Cullman, because it’s in demand across the nation.”

An admission donation of $5 is requested at the gate. Children 5 and under will be admitted free of charge. 

Performance schedules for the bands include:

Blues Hammer Band – Saturday: 12 p.m.-3 p.m

Sweet Licks – Sunday: 10 a.m.-12 p.m

De Ja’ Blue Horns – Sunday. 12 p.m.

Bama Blue Grace – Sunday: 2 p.m.

The weather for Bernard Blues is expected to be sunny throughout Saturday and up to a 40 percent chance of rain on Sunday.

For more information contact the school at 256-739-6682 or visit stbernardprep.com.

David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 116.