In addition to the wonderful array of artwork, a large
variety of foods were offered to festival goers. The menu included a crawfish boil, smoked
chicken, polish sausages, funnel cakes, strawberry waffles, soft-served ice
cream, roasted almonds, kettle corn, fresh squeezed lemonade and Pepsi!
Because of vigorous sales, vendors as well as the school
had a successful weekend. Over 1,800
loaves of fresh-baked Monks’ bread was sold in six hours on Saturday. Three hundred t-shirts commemorating the 30th
Annual Bloomin’ Festival were also popular, as well as the t-shirts featuring
Fr. Joel and the crawfish boil. Proceeds
from the Bloomin’ Festival benefit St. Bernard Prep School.
Saturday was a record-breaking day for attendance. Traffic backed up past Hwy 31 in
downtown Cullman, but was ushered
through city as quickly as possible. Festival
Director, Joyce Nix, reported that the vendors had a very successful Saturday
because of the unusually large crowds.
Sunday, on the other hand, was less so because of the forecast of rain. Rain, when it did arrive, required the
closing of the festival an hour early on Sunday.
Patrons enjoyed watching artist demonstrate their
talents. A blacksmith, miller, broom
maker, glass blowers, and artist demonstrated the entire weekend.
Because the date for the celebration for Easter changes
each year, the date for the festival also moves accordingly. “Vendors commented that St. Bernard was one
of the only festivals that can change its date, by moving it two weeks earlier,
and still have a successful event,” Nix said.
Fr. Marcus Voss, Director of Development, said, “In
conjunction with the Cullman Police Department, we have already begun working
on a plan to resolve the traffic problems that occurred this year. By 2015 we will have a quicker and easier
parking plan for our festival patrons.”
The sweepstakes winners for the 30th Annual Bloomin’
Festival were:
First Prize - 2014 Jeep Patriot - James Glaze - Hoover,
AL
Second Prize - Nikon Silver S3500 Digital Camera -
Carolyn Eck - Florence, AL
Third Prize - Garmin nuvi 40 4.3" Portable GPS-
Donald Jackson - Decatur, AL
Fourth Prize - LG BP135 Blu-ray Disc Player - Deborah
Hodge - Birmingham, AL
Fifth Prize - iPod Shuffle 2 GB - Steven Febres-Cordero -
Birmingham, AL
Ave Maria Grotto also reported a successful weekend with
visitors taking advantage of the reduced admission fee to the gardens. Ave Maria Grotto is open seven days per week
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vendor applications are being accepted for the 31st
Annual Bloomin’ Festival which is scheduled for April 18-19, 2015. St. Bernard juries each booth to assure
quality and diversity. Anyone interested
in applying can do so now. Applications
are online at www.bloominfestival.com!
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