CULLMAN, Ala. – The ninth 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.
Friday evening brought the One Meat Chicken Competition, where backyard cook teams battled for top honors. The winners were:
- First Place – Norala BBQ Team – Trinity
- Second Place – Electro-Que-Ted – Dickson, Tennessee
- Third Place – Cluckin Crazy BBQ – Cartersville, Georgia
- Fourth Place – Jury’s Out – Vestavia
- Fifth Place – Wee Daddy’s BBQ – Athens
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.
Results were as follows:
- Chicken Competition: First Place – Fire & Shine – Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania ; Second Place – Ghost Hill BBQ – Trinity; Third Place – Smokey Bees BBQ – Meridian, Mississippi
- Ribs Competition: First Place – 205 Smoke – Phil Campbell; Second Place – Fire & Shine- Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania; Third Place – Puddle Duck – Spring Hill, Tennessee
- Grand Champion – Fire & Shine BBQ – Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania
- Reserve Grand Champion – Puddle Duck – Spring Hill, Tennessee
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 $10,000 Giveaway was held. Winners included:
- $10,000 – Ashley Taylor, Bremen
- $1,000 – Daniel Green, Eva
- $500 – Walter Hughes, Hoover
- $250 – Margaret Cuny, Ardmore, Tennessee (age 94)
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 Fr. 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, Ashley sent Malaya 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 Ashley’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 April 18-19, 2026.
