The 9th Annual Bernard Blues & BBQ at St. Bernard Prep kicked off on Friday, Sept. 5 as artists and cook teams made their way into Cullman to set up for a weekend of sales, music, and competition.

On Friday evening the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) Backyard Competition kicked off with the One Meat Chicken Competition, where backyard cook teams battled for top honors. The winners were Norala BBQ Team from Trinity with first place; Electro-Que-Ted from Dickson, TN with second place; Cluckin Crazy BBQ from Cartersville, GA, with third place; Jury’s Out from Vestavia Hills with fourth place; and Wee Daddy’s BBQ from Athens with fifth place. 

The evening also featured the festival’s first-ever Kids Q, adding fun and excitement for young grill masters.

Saturday came with its challenges as thunderstorms and torrential rains hit the campus, leaving only a few hours for patrons to shop. Still, the KCBS Backyard Competition pressed on without interruption. 

The Chicken Competition saw Fire & Shine from Mifflinburg, PA, come away with first place. Ghost Hill BBQ from Trinity took second place, and Smokey Bees BBQ from Meridian, MS, took third. 

For the Ribs Competition 205 Smoke from Phil Campbell placed first and Fire & Shine from Mifflinburg, PA, took home another award with second place. Puddle Duck from Spring Hill, TN, was awarded third place. 

Fire & Shine BBQ from Mifflinburg, PA, took home bragging rights as Grand Champion. The Reserve Grand Champion went to Puddle Duck from Spring Hill, TN.

Despite the weather, Conecuh Spokesperson and blues artist Kevin Story entertained the crowd before Microwave Dave took the stage.

By Sunday, the storms had cleared and sunshine filled the air. Guests enjoyed gospel blues from Dr. Craig Mann, instructor at St. Bernard, while behind the scenes, St. Bernard students, parents, faculty, and staff provided Southern hospitality, assisting with parking, food service, and festival logistics.

The St. Bernard Dining Hall prepared festival favorites in conjunction with Brothers Q Barbeque and 256 Barbeque Cook Teams, cooking smoked pork butts, chicken, ribs, Conecuh Sausage dogs, hamburgers, and more. Specialty treats such as monk bread, sourdough, funnel cakes, strawberry waffles, pastries, cheesecakes, and bread pudding rounded out the offerings.

At 4 p.m. Sunday, the highly anticipated raffle was held. Winners included Ashley Taylor from Bremen winning $10,000, Daniel Green from Eva taking home $1,000, Walter Hughes from Hoover winning $500 and 94-year-old Margaret Cuny from Ardmore, TN, winning $250.

For Ashley Taylor, the timing of her win felt providential. Just hours before the drawing, she had texted her recently engaged daughter, Malaya: “I am gonna win $10K at 4 p.m. today to pay for your wedding. Pray!” Her daughter replied, “In Jesus’ name.” When Father Joel Martin, president of St. Bernard Prep, announced her as the $10,000 winner, her prayer was answered.

Unable to leave work at Good Hope Medical Clinic, Taylor sent her daughter to claim the prize. “You have no idea how much this means to our family,” she shared. “We have a lot going on with new drivers, new insurance premiums, and a wedding to plan. This helps so much.”

While celebrating Taylor’s joy, St. Bernard extends sincere gratitude to all who supported this year’s festival—through donations, volunteering, attending, or purchasing t-shirts and raffle tickets online.

St. Bernard will host the 42nd Annual Bloomin’ Festival on April 18-19, 2026.