Gingerbread houses, gingerbread trees, a gingerbread Advent calendar – even a gingerbread igloo.
The Rotary Club of Innisfil’s first-ever Simcoe County gingerbread house contest attracted 14 entries, and a good crowd for the judging, held Saturday at the Lakeshore Library in Alcona.
The judges were Sydney Hardie, chair of the Innisfil Arts, Culture, Heritage Council (IACHC), Rotary President Anne Kell, and special guest judge Beatriz Muller, the Food Network’s 2018 gingerbread house contest winner.
The inaugural competition received two adult, one youth, and 11 kids’ entries in all. Winners were Mr. and Mrs. GG for their gingerbread Advent calendar, in the adult category; Owen Richardson’s “Jacob’s House” in the youth category; and in the children’s category, Khalessi Dorner’s gingerbread igloo and skating penguins, titled “Penguin Fun."
There was also a People’s Choice award, sponsored by the Innisfil ideaLAB and Library. The prize went to Joanne Graziano for her “Casa Loma” gingerbread castle, complete with Santa and his reindeer.
“We had a wonderful event,” said Rotarian Susie Parker. “The Band” from Sandycove Acres provided the entertainment, and even Santa paid a visit.
“It was a lovely day,” Parker said. “We didn’t raise a lot of money, but it was a wonderful community event.”
The entry fees raised approximately $200 for Rotary projects.
“We would like to thank the library for letting us use the venue, and our sponsors who gave lovely prizes for our bakers,” Parker added. Sponsors included Hardie & Co., Gilchrist Property Management, Suite Success at ESS Direct, Gary Grant and The Band, Eggsmart and No Frills.
“Can’t wait ‘til next year!” she said.
