Bloomin' Festival set for April 20-21

The 29^th Annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair on April 20-21, 2013 is a sold out show.  Artists and Craftspeople submitted their applications early in December so as not to miss out on a spot during the  premier show at St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman, AL.  Bloomin’ Festival has again been recognized at a ‘Top 20 Event in the Southeast’ by the Southeastern Tourism Society.

Everything from handcrafted pottery and coin jewelry to children and ladies clothing, birdhouses, fashion accessories, metal art, leather, stoneware baskets, home grown plants, toys, Dahlia bulbs, Art, ceramics, candles, soap and so much more can be found.  Live demonstrations will include:  grinding corn meal and sampling hoe cakes, glassblowing, broom making, and one of Cullman Counties own Blacksmiths, Allan Kress at work.

Parents, monks, students and friends of St. Bernard Prep are gearing up to assist visitors with parking, concessions, train rides, and environmental control. 

A 5K and 10K race will be held on the wooded trails of campus on Saturday April 20 beginning at 7:30 a.m.  Awards will be presented to the overall male and female winners; Masters male and female winners; and 1^st and 2^nd Place age group winners.  Entry fee is $25 if received by 4/16; or $30 on race day.

To register go to www.bloominfestival.com or drop by the school to complete an application.

Food is provided solely by St. Bernard Prep School.  The menu consists of pinto beans and hoe cakes make from fresh ground cornmeal onsite; BBQ chicken, polish sausages, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cakes, strawberry waffles, fresh squeezed lemonade,  and Pepsi!

At the conclusion of the show on Sunday evening at 5 p.m. a drawing for the festival grand prize will be held.  St. Bernard Prep in a partnership with Cullman Dodge will be giving away a 2013 Jeep Patriot, Kindle Fire HD 7”; Canon digital camera, Garmin Nuvi GPS; and an Apple Ipod Shuffle.

Ave Maria Grotto is open the entire weekend for a low admission price of only $3 per person.  Admission to the festival is $5.  All proceeds benefit St. Bernard Preparatory School.  For more information visit www.bloominfestival.com or check out www.facebook.com/bloominfestival.

The 29^th Annual Bloomin’ Festival is sponsored by Cullman Dodge, Pepsi, OF Richter & Sons, Kassouf & Company, Richard Electric, Merchants Bank, Cullman Jefferson Gas, Peoples Bank of Alabama,  R. Champ Crocker – Attorney at Law,  and Regions Bank.