Arts Council gearing up for gingerbread contest
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on November 10, 2014 1:46 PM
It's that time of year when creative minds start coming up with plans for the most outrageous design for the 9th annual Arts Council of Wayne County's annual gingerbread house contest.
This year's categories are ages 6 through 10, ages 11 through 17 and adults 18 and older. There's also a category for professional bakers, although there is no cash prize for the winner. Professional bakers can display their business information with their creations.
Entries will be accepted Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Nov. 22 from 2 to 7 p.m. and Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Arts Council at 102 N. John St. They will be judged Nov. 25 and will be on display through Dec. 22.
There is a $10 entry fee per house.
First-, second- and third-place ribbons will be awarded in all categories. First-, second- and third-place winners in the children's categories will also receive an art supply kit. In the adults category, first place winner will receive a $150 cash prize, second place a $50 cash prize and third place a $25 cash prize.
Entries don't have to be a house. They can be a barn, church, castle or other structure. The walls must be made of gingerbread and everything in the scene must be edible. The structure must be on a sturdy base, not made of gingerbread. Adult entries must be original creations, not made from a kit or not a store-bought house. Children may use kits, but no preconstructed store-bought gingerbread house.
Teams may also enter, and the category will be based on the age of the oldest member of the team. Gingerbread houses may be for sale, but are not required to be. The Arts Council retains 35 percent of sales. Arts Council director Sarah Merritt said some of the more unusual entries over the years have been a Volkswagon van, a Nativity scene, a log cabin complete with a stream and animals around it and the Park House, which was about 3 feet square and 3 feet high. She said the youngest person to enter over the years was a 6-year-old, and one year there was a 70-year-old who entered.
"It's just something fun and different to do for the holidays," Mrs. Merritt said. "People like coming to look at them, too.
"The people who enter enjoy making them. I think if people start planning now, they can have a great gingerbread creation. I'm always so delighted to see how creative to see how creative they get with their ideas and the use of the candy and other decorating ideas.
"That's what appeals to me about making a gingerbread house, coming up with an idea and figuring out how to make it a reality. There are so many great ideas, tips and recipes on the Internet; you have everything you need at your fingertips."
Mrs. Merritt said the gingerbread house could also be a group project for a family neighborhood, co-workers, anyone. For more information about the gingerbread house contest, call the Arts Council at 919-736-3300.