Gingerbread House Contest

Get ready to pre-heat the oven, pull out the cookie sheet and pastry bag and enter the Downtown Opelika Christmas In A Railroad Town Gingerbread House Contest. Houses will be judged in three age divisions: 10 years and younger, 11 to 17 years old, and 18 years and older.

Houses will be judged on 1) appearance, 2) originality, 3) creativity, and 4) difficulty.

Votes will be tabulated and the winners announced Friday, December 7th at 9pm at the conclusion of Christmas In A Railroad Town.

Gingerbread House judges and the public will do the judging. Ribbons for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will be awarded in each age category. Ribbons for the most creative will also be presented. Houses will be on display for viewing at 829 South Railroad Avenue for people to cast their votes for their favorite entry Friday, December 7th during Christmas In A Railroad Town from 6-9pm. The Viewer’s Choice Awards (which will be given in each age category) will be selected by $1 viewer votes with each winning entry receiving $50.

The Gingerbread Houses must be EDIBLE. Structures are not limited to houses – creativity is encouraged. Traditional gingerbread, graham crackers and cookies maybe used for the buildings, but please no cardboard or plastic. All items used in building and decorating must be edible, except for the base. Don’t limit yourself to candy. Be creative. As long as it’s edible, it’s fair game. The houses must be mounted on plywood platforms no larger that 24x24. SMALLER IS FINE. Look at all four sides of the house. Judges will be looking at what’s going on in the ‘backyard’ too. Make sure your structure can bear the weight of your creativity.

Completed Gingerbread House entries may be delivered to 829 South Railroad Avenue Thursday, December 6th 1-3pm and Friday, December 7th 1-4pm. Contestants will receive a competition number upon arrival which will be placed at the base of their house for judging purposes. Entry fee is $5.00 per entry.

For more information call Velinda Wheeles at Opelika Main Street 745-0466. MERRY CHRISTMAS!