(Update) Bloomin’ Festival cut short due to severe weather
Published 7:40 pm Saturday, April 5, 2025
Huntsville's Davida Holiday Flax shares her vintage tin upcycled jewelry during the Bloomin' Festival Saturday, April 5. 'The Bloomin' Festival is one of the best shows I come to. Joyce (Nix, event organizer) does an amazing job," said the retired Air Force veteran. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
Due to severe weather, the 41st Annual Bloomin' Festival, seen April 6, was canceled for Sunday. Photo courtesy St. Bernard
Guests navigate a campus full of vendors Saturday, April 5, at the 41st Annual Bloomin' Festival at St. Bernard Abbey. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
Photographer Cara Fuller brought her gallery of abandonned cars in the woods to the annual Bloomin' Festival Saturday, April 5. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
A festival-goer is seen through a a painted gourd designed by artist Sook Mellen. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
A customer selects a pen created by woodworker Tim Reid Saturday, April 5, at the Bloomin' Festival. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
Guests line up to purchase pieces of David and Melonie Thompson iron work, seen in the foreground. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
Guests check out carpenter bee traps created by birdhouse maker Billy Goodman. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
Chainsaw artist Jim Sebastian plans a delivery of one of his creations for a Bloomin' Festival guest. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
Vinemont’s Christian Gingrich of Opa’s Woodshop, left, talks with Julie Foust and granddaughter, Ruby Farmer, 9 of Cullman. Ruby Ruby purchased an alligator puzzle. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
A festival-goer is seen through a window painted by Deborah Elliott. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
A Corgi takes in the sights Saturday, April 6. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
JT Pottery's Jeff Mayfield chats with festivalgoers Saturday, April 5. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
Woodworker Tim Reid talks to customers Saturday, April 5, at the Bloomin' Festival. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
Artist Sook Mellen discusses her art with a Bloomin' Festival guest. Amanda Shavers | The Cullman Times
The annual Bloomin’ Festival was cut a day short after severe weather brought heavy rains and flooding into the area.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share some difficult news,” St. Bernard Abbey Abbot Marcus Voss, O.S.B. said in a statement. “Due to heavy rain and thunder, we’ve had to cancel today’s (Sunday) events at the 41st Annual Bloomin’ Festival. All our talented vendors and our beloved artisans had to pack up yesterday, and we couldn’t safely continue. This Sunday’s celebration of spring, artistry and community has been silenced by the storm.”
Proceeds from the Bloomin’ Festival are vital to the operations at the campus.
“The cancellation deeply affects St. Bernard Prep, our cherished school and abbey. … supporting students, maintaining our historic campus and preserving the Ave Maria Grotto. Without this weekend’s revenue, we face a significant challenge,” Voss said.
General donations can still be made to support the school at stbernardprep.com or to the abbey at stbernardabbey.com.
“Every act of kindness counts,” Voss said.
“We know this rain has disappointed us all, but your compassion can turn this moment into one of resilience and unity. The laughter of our students, the beauty of our campus and the spirit of our festivals depend on you. Together, we can weather this storm.”
More than 150 vendors from across the southeastern United States made their way to the Abbey to showcase their work. On Saturday morning, some were optimistic the severe weather would hold off.
Huntsville’s Davida Holiday Flax prepared for Saturday’s wind by securing the bases of her displays that held her vintage tin upcycled jewelry. The retired Air Force veteran was planning to let the side flaps down on her tent and tough it out.
‘The Bloomin’ Festival is one of the best shows I come to. Joyce (Nix, event organizer) does an amazing job,” said Flax who plans to return for the Bernard Blues and BBQ event in early September.
But hours after the 8 a.m. opening, other vendors were already making plans for an early exit.
“I’m hoping I sell everything today, so I can pack up,” said Vinemont’s Christian Gingrich of Opa’s Woodshop as she checked out the cloudy sky.
By noon, photographer Cara Fuller had decided she wouldn’t be able to return Sunday due to the forecast.
“With the wind and rain … I can’t protect my work,” Fuller, whose tent was lined with her photographs of classic cars abandoned in wooded areas.
