GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST
The gingerbread torch has officially been passed!
The Shelton Downtown Merchants are delighted (and maybe a little sugared up) to take the reins of the Annual Christmastown USA Gingerbread House Exhibit & Competition.
And yes… we know we’re coming in hot like a gingerbread cookie fresh out of the oven—so the timeline is a teeny bit tighter this year. But we believe in Shelton’s creative superpowers, and we know some of you can whip up a show-stopping candy masterpiece faster than Santa downs a cookie plate.
Who Can Enter?
Everyone! Businesses, organizations, families, teams, individuals, and kids—if you can dream it (and glue it together with royal icing), we want to see it.
Traditional, Christmastown-themed, whimsical, quirky—if it’s made of gingerbread, it’s fair game.
Where They’ll Be Displayed:
All entries will be showcased at the Shelton-Mason County Chamber office for the community to enjoy.
Key Dates
DEC 4-5 • Deliver Gingerbread House entries to Shelton-Mason County Chamber 215 W Railroad Ave.
DEC 12 • Judging (and National Gingerbread House Day)
DEC 19 • Deadline for pickup
CONTEST GUIDELINES
Entries are encouraged to fit into the following thematic areas: 1) a design based on Christmastown USA, or 2) a traditional holiday design. The entry does not have to be in the shape of a “house.” Scenes or other types of structures are allowed.
The entry’s major components (such as sides, roofs, etc.) to be constructed of gingerbread. The rest of the display can be decorated with any edible material. All visible components of the display must be edible (plastic wrapped candies must be unwrapped; paper or plastic stems of
lollipops should be removed or concealed; tin foil bases should be entirely covered with edible materials, etc). Any internal
structural support for large gingerbread houses does not have to be edible as long as it is not visible from any angle. The entry must be delivered in completed form attached to a sturdy base (plywood recommended) enabling it to be freestanding. Bases should be concealed with an edible product except for side edges, which can be trimmed with ribbon or other material.
The organizers reserve the right to not display an entry considered to be inappropriate or not show quality. The location of gingerbread displays in the exhibition hall will be determined by event volunteers. The event cannot be held responsible for any damages incurred to the displays, but volunteers will take extra precautions to help ensure the safety of each entry.
Entries not picked up by 5 PM on DEC 19 will be discarded. Entries will be judged based on the following criteria: Overall Appearance, Originality and Creativity, Difficulty and Precision, Use of Materials;and People’s Choice. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ribbons as well as cash prizes will be awarded in each category with one overall best of show award ($200).
Entry Fee: $10
All entry fees go right back into prizes for our winning designs—because nothing says “holiday spirit” like sweet victory (and actual sweets). By entering, you give the event permission to use photos of your gingerbread creations for promotional and publicity magic.
