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@peninsulaclarion.com.
A gingerbread house constructed by 5-year-old Aurelia is displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A gingerbread house constructed by 6-year-old Gabriel is displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gingerbread houses constructed by 7-year-olds Noah, Gavin and Tirzah are displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A marshmallow man stands in the snow outside of a gingerbread house constructed by 12-year-old Ethan, displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A gingerbread helicopter, constructed by 10-year-old Tayla, is displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A gingerbread Santa, sleigh and reindeer constructed by 12-year-old Noah is displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A gingerbread house constructed by 14-year-old Ara is displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A gingerbread spire constructed by Rebecca, in the adult division, is displayed alongside other contestants of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A gingerbread house constructed by Alanna, in the adult division, is displayed as part of the 11th Annual Gingerbread House Contest at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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