The 2021 Bloomin Festival brought thousands of people from all over the southeast to St. Bernard Prep School this past weekend. Record crowds swarmed the campus in hopes of finding the perfect craft, exceptional foods, or to get out and enjoy some normalcy back in life.
The annual Bloomin Festival is ranked amongst the top attractions in the state of Alabama. Vendors from all over the United States flock to St. Bernard to show off their skills of arts and crafts. After the entire world was shut down for the last year due to the COVID pandemic, vendors were ready to get out and start showing their talents. The Bloomin Festival was packed with familiar faces and some new faces during the 2021 festival. Milly’s Pet Bakery is new to Cullman and new to the festival. Jason Pearce, an owner of Milly’s Pet Bakery, said, “the festival was a huge success for the bakery. We were able to display our pet treats for thousands to see and purchase, but more importantly, we gained a lot of new friends and clients.” Milly’s sold out of their stock during both days of the festival due to the enormous crowds and the unique companies craft.
Festival Director, Joyce Nix, was all smiles throughout the weekend. “We are blessed to have the community support of Cullman and the neighboring counties and states who enjoy Bloomin’ Festival. Our goal is to provide a fun-filled family atmosphere while promoting the arts, and with the help of our sponsors, parents, school community, and friends, we were able to exceed our expectations,” Nix said.
The festival included live demonstrations ranging from a bladesmith and a blacksmith to a broom maker, a woodturner, and chair caners. There were birdhouses, wind chimes, jewelry and ornamental iron, and flowering plants, pottery, clothing, quilts, and dried flower art, which were top sellers.
Smoked chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs, and polish sausages were served as well as fresh baked cookies, breads, candies, and fudge. Nanny’s fresh-squeezed lemonade and Pepsi products completed the menu.
Coletta Schmidt of Huntsville, Alabama, was the grand winner of the sweepstakes and took home the grand prize of a 2021 Jeep Renegade. Barb Pastuzuka of Leighton, AL, won the Apple Airpods; the Fitbit 3 was claimed by Ronald P. Barnes of Ootlewah, TN. Steven R. Parris of Owen Cross Road, AL, won the Google nest hub; and James Oenbrink of Clarksville, FL, won the Oral B toothbrush.
St. Bernard thanks everyone who came and supported the artisans and school. “We want to thank everyone for their support of our Bloomin’ Festival and invite all to save the date of October 30-31, 2021, as the school will host the 5th Annual Bernard Blues and BBQ,” concluded Nix.
The 38th Annual Bloomin’ Festival will be held April 23-24, 2022.
