Microwave Dave and the Nukes of Huntsville will be performing at the Bernard Blues & BBQ Festival.

Benjamin Bullard

bbullard@cullmantimes.com

With only four days left until St. Bernard launches its new, music-themed fall festival, organizers are pretty amped.

“Man, we’ve promoted this thing all over the United States,” laughed Joyce Nix, public relations director for St. Bernard Prep School. “It’s very awesome. We’ve got the blues; we’ve got the barbecue, and we’ve got the arts and crafts. We’re just planning for it to be a really fun family weekend.”

It’s only fitting that Nix has “the blues.” When your event’s called the “Bernard Blues & BBQ Festival,” you’ve got to look the part.

Guests familiar with the Bloomin’ Festival, St. Bernard’s venerable springtime event, can expect some overlap between the Bloomin’ Festival and Blues & BBQ.

But, Nix points out, this weekend’s festival, timed to coincide with St. Bernard Abbey’s 125th anniversary, is different by design.

“Oh, we’ve definitely got some of the old favorites coming back; artisans and people you’ll remember from the Bloomin’ Festival,” she said. “But this has got a different vibe.

“It’s about the music, and the main stage for all the amazing artists we have lined up will be the front steps of the administration building. It just makes for a natural stage. We’ll have barbecue for sale, from whole butts to barbecue by the plate. And we’ve got fried apple pies; peach pies; the good stuff just like your grandmother used to make.”

There’s also a $10,000 drawdown prize, accompanied by a second-place prize of $2,000, plus smaller cash prizes as the list goes on. Local auto dealers fronted the money for the drawdown, and, Nix notes, you don’t have to be present to win.

In addition to the music and food, Nix said the festival already has secured about 70 arts and crafts vendors, with vendor registration still open through the remainders of this week.

“And the kids’ stuff! We’re going to have our little train going on, and then we’ve got some fun things for kids to be entertained by — all just little ‘freebies.’ Sacred Heart elementary students are going to be in charge of part of our children’s area, and they’ve got some hands-on art activities for other kids who want to have ‘kid’ fun.

“All in all, it’s just going to be a family-focused, really cool two days.”

The Bernard Blues & BBQ Festival runs this Saturday and Sunday on the grounds at St. Bernard Abbey. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. each day. The festival requests an admission donation of $5, and parking on-site is free. Proceeds directly benefit the St. Bernard Preparatory School.

For more information, including a schedule of musical headliners, artisan list and vendor registration info, visit stbernardprep.com/bernard-blues-bbq.