Gingerbread houses rule

The 10th annual Gingerbread House Contest put on by the Kenai Chamber of Commerce is well underway, with over a dozen houses being displayed across four age groups.

Houses made by local kids from ages 3-16 can be perused at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center during business hours, where ballots can also be cast for the best house in each group.

The houses will remain on display and voting will remain open until Dec. 21. Winners of the contest will be announced via Facebook and the Kenai chamber’s newsletter following the end of the voting period.

Interim Executive Director Michelle Walker said the contest is a small but special part of holiday programming at the chamber — it ties in loosely with the larger Christmas Comes to Kenai festivities.

Though Walker said there were fewer than usual entrants this year, there were several family groups that got in on the fun together. In a few cases around the display, siblings each submitted their own house. One large house that isn’t actually in the running but which can be seen at the chamber was made by a family group of ages 14 to 42.

“Gingerbread houses are just one of those things during this time of year,” Walker said. “Everybody can pitch in and have a great time. In my eyes, you really can’t go wrong with a gingerbread house, however it looks, however it comes out.”

That togetherness, Walker said, is what Christmas is all about.

Winning houses in each age division will receive prize money. The 3- to 5-year-olds can take home $20; 6- to 8-year-olds are competing for $25; 9- to 12-year-olds vie for $35. Those ages 13-16 have a shot at the largest sum at $50.

More information about the Kenai Chamber of Commerce, the Gingerbread House Contest and other programming can be found at Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Facebook.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

A gingerbread house designed by Luke Karpik is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Cole Helm is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Evelyn is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Hogarth Halverson is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Lydia Halverson is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Charis is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Arlo Haberman is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Baranof Haberman is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Josephine is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Henry Franklin is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Luke Karpik is displayed at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Kiera Wion-Mooers is seen at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

A gingerbread house designed by Ivy Franklin is seen at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)