Beautiful weather blessed the patrons at the eighth annual Bernard Blues & BBQ festival at St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman, Sept. 7-8. According to officials of the school, the two-day barbecue cook-off and arts and crafts event was a fine success.

Blues music highlighted the entire weekend. On Saturday, Elnora Spencer as well as Mike Lawley (Kingfish) treated attendees to soulful performances. Sunday’s entertainment featured the soulful stylings of Debbie Bond and blues legend Earl "Guitar" Williams. 

In addition to BBQ and live music, the festival boasted 65 arts and crafts booths spread across the school’s quad. Visitors enjoyed a variety of food, including ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and sandwiches, along with Pepsi beverages. Other treats included Nanny’s fresh-squeezed lemonade, St. Bernard’s signature funnel cakes, mini donuts, kettle corn, and Scooty’s apples.

As is tradition, the monks’ St. Bernard’s Best Bread was a fan favorite and sold out by 2 p.m. on Saturday, though freshly baked cookies were still available.

Cook teams from across the southeastern United States filled the school parking lot to compete in a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanctioned event, earning cash prizes and points. The BBQ competition kicked off on Friday evening with a one-meat chicken contest featuring 16 teams. By Saturday, 28 of the 31 registered teams competed in both chicken and ribs categories.

Friday’s one-meat chicken winners were Norala – AJ Johnson from Trinity, AL with first place; Electro-Que-Ted – Brian Ford from Dickson, TN with second place; LeeLa Q – Pat Swindoll from  Cullman, AL with third place; Small Batch BBQ – Logan Chestnut with fourth place; and Smoke Me Silly – Robert Vanderipe from Madison, AL with fifth place.

On Saturday, the big winners were Garreth Price, Brothers Q BBQ Supply from Blountsville, AL as the grand champion and Travis Sumruld, Pig Destroyer from Springfield, TN as the grand reserve champion.

The KCBS Backyard Chicken results were Garreth Price, Brothers Q BBQ Supply with first place and a perfect 180 score; Eric Brown, Green Dragon BBQ with second place; and Travis Sumruld, Pig Destroyer with third place.

The KCBS Backyard Rib results were Hunt Blackledge, Smokey Bees BBQ with first place; Don Byford, Wee Daddy's BBQ with second place; and Brian Ford, Electro-Que-Ted with third place.

Competitors were thrilled to receive unique handmade trophies crafted by local artisan Sandra Abbot, adding a special touch to their awards. A highlight of the event was the giveaway of over $10,000 in prizes, with the following winners Cynthia Hopkins of New Port Richey, FL with first place ($10,000); Michele D'Orazio of Tuscaloosa, AL with second place ($1,000); Lilly Allen of Hanceville, AL with third place ($500); and Walter H. Eads, Jr., of Manchester, TN with fourth place ($250).

Father Joel Martin, president of St. Bernard Preparatory School, expressed his heartfelt thanks on behalf of the monks of St. Bernard Abbey and the students, faculty, and staff. "We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported the festival, whether through prayers, financial contributions, or by volunteering time to make this event a success.”

Looking ahead, St. Bernard Prep is preparing for its 41st Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair, scheduled for April 5-6, 2025. For more information, visit www.stbernardprep.com or follow the school on social media for updates.