Bloomin’ for Forty Years

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Karen Beasley, Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association

PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381

Bloomin’ for Forty Years

Annual Bloomin’ Festival Set for April 20-21 in Cullman

Decatur, Ala. (February 22, 2024) – Arts and crafts will be on display for two days in April when the St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School hosts its annual Bloomin’ Festival. Set for April 20-21, 2024, the outdoor event, now in its fortieth year, features the handcrafted works of talented artists and craftsmen, music and festival food and is expected to draw more than 25,000 visitors in search of fresh air, unique arts and crafts, demonstrations and family-friendly entertainment in a picturesque setting.

During Bloomin’ Festival, over 180 artists and craftsmen from across the southeastern United States will make their way to North Alabama to showcase their finest work. Festivalgoers can expect to find many of the unique items found in year’s past including cypress outdoor furniture, pressed flower art, chainsaw carvings, inlay wood furniture, blacksmith copper and iron, Appalachian style straw booth, driftwood art and more.

Along with shopping for handcrafted items, festivalgoers are treated to great food from a variety of concession vendors. Loaves of Monk Bread will also be available for purchase, but festivalgoers will want to arrive early as the delicious treat sells out quickly. The event concludes with giveaway drawings for a new 2024 Jeep Compass, Apple Watch, IHome AutoVac Nova @1, Apple iPods and a Roku Streaming Stick. Tickets for the prizes are $5 each or six for $25 and may be purchased online.

Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily rain or shine. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 per person with children five years old and under admitted free. Pets are not allowed. Proceeds benefit St. Bernard Prep School, a private co-educational boarding school for grades 9-12.

For more information, visit www.bloominfestival.com, call (256) 255-5860 for follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bloominfestival/.

St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School is located at 1600 St. Bernard Drive SE in Cullman, adjacent to the world-famous Ave Maria Grotto, a 4-acre park featuring 125 miniature replicas of biblical structures and world-famous buildings, all hand built by a Benedictine monk. Special reduced admission rates are offered to festival attendees all weekend to visit Ave Maria Grotto. For more information, visit https://www.avemariagrotto.com/.

###

About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)

AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the $4.3 billion North Alabama travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, golf courses, restaurants, accommodations and vendors. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381, by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org and by following us on social media @VisitNorthAL.