Candied community
Published 9:30 pm Wednesday, November 15, 2023
More than 30 gingerbread houses — and a few other things constructed of gingerbread — are arrayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center for their 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest.
Executive Director Samantha Springer said Thursday that submissions opened slow, then came pouring in by the deadline earlier this week. She described kids walking in with their creations, each eager to show them off. Surprising, she said, was the breadth of styles and takes on a simple concept.
“It was really fun to watch them get excited and explain what they were thinking when they put it all together,” she said.
The gingerbread houses are arranged by age group, 2- to 5-year-olds, 6- to 8-year-olds, 9- to 12-year-olds, 13- to 17-year-olds, and 18-plus. A variety of structures of different sizes and shapes can be seen, many accompanied by small inhabitants. In addition to the houses, there is a helicopter, Santa’s sleigh and reindeer, and a towering spire.
“One thing I didn’t expect was the amount of powdered sugar,” Springer said.
Voting will be open for the gingerbread house contest during the center’s business hours until Dec. 15. Cash prizes of up to $50, varying by age group, are on the line for each of the contestants. Winners will be announced on Dec. 21.
For more information about the contest, find “Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center” on Facebook.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/peninsulaclarion.
