Laura Jordan and Bryan Jordan arrange some of Bryan's handmade pottery on sale at Bernard Blues and BBQ.

St. Bernard is in the middle of a rocking weekend as the Bernard Blues and BBQ festival continues today. 

So far, the event has been a hit with locals, said Joyce Nix, public relations director for St. Bernard Prep School.

“It’s been very smooth,” she said. 

St. Bernard’s springtime event, the Bloomin’ Festival, has attracted large crowds for years, but the Blues and BBQ festival has a different atmosphere than the spring festival, Nix said. 

A large part of that atmosphere change is the focus on the music. Microwave Dave and the Nukes performed their set on Saturday morning, and Chimney Branch closed out the day in the afternoon, and both bands were well-received by festival attendees, Nix said. 

The blues have been a hit with the crowd, and so has the barbecue.

Barbecue plates, butts, sandwiches and ribs are all available, and people were lined up all day to get some, Nix said. 

The festival actually ran out of barbecue on Saturday, but will have plenty more today, she said. 

A few vendors who normally sell at the Bloomin’ Festival have said that Blues and BBQ has a chance to be even bigger, Nix said. 

“It’s got some good potential,” she said. 

Returning vendors have been impressed with the festival, and many first-timers have also had success. 

Of the 70 vendors who are selling their wares at Blues and BBQ, many of them have never been to St. Bernard to sell before, Nix said. 

“They’ve brought a lot of new things to the show,” she said. 

The new atmosphere attracted a lot of new vendors, but other vendors have returned after successful experiences at the Bloomin’ Festival. 

Bryan Jordan of Hoover sells his handmade pottery every year at the Bloomin’ Festival, and decided to come to Blues and BBQ to reach a different crowd. 

“It’s been pretty good,” he said. 

He said he has regular customers who visit his stand every year at the Bloomin’ Festival, and hopes the same thing can happen with this festival as well. 

Jordan said he was impressed with the size of the crowd at Blues and BBQ, especially since it is the first time the festival has been held.

Whether it’s for the blues, barbecue or the shopping, Nix encouraged everyone to come by to see what the festival has to offer. 

“We’ve got plenty of good food, good fun and plenty of booths where you can buy some Christmas gifts or decorate for Halloween,” she said. “Get here early and stay late.” 

Bernard Blues and BBQ continues today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the Sweet Licks taking the stage from 10 a.m. to noon and Coco O’Connor and the Redeemers playing from 1-4 p.m. 

Attendees also have the chance to enter to win a $10,000 cash prize, and the winner will be announced at 5 p.m. this evening. 

The festival requests an admission donation of $5, and parking on-site is free. Proceeds directly benefit the St. Bernard Preparatory School.

 

Tyler Hanes can be reached at 256-734-2131 ext. 138.