Get into the holiday spirit by participating in the 

Chocolate/Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Sponsored by Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County

 

Entries are due by 4pm on Friday, December 2nd, 2022 at the Annapolis Visitors Center 26 West Street, Annapolis.

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The public will vote starting Saturday, December 3rd thru Sunday, December 4th at 2:30pm. Winners will be announced on Sunday, December 4th at 3pm.

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Winning Houses will be on display at the Visitors Center until Saturday, December 10th. Please pick up houses by 5pm on Sunday, December 11th.

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Gingerbread houses will be judged according to the following categories:

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• Kids 3-12 (Parents may assist children somewhat in this category)

• Teens 13-17 (Parents may provide minimal assistance)

• Adult (Age 18 and over)

• Family

 

In fairness to other contestants, please abide by the parental assistance limitations stated above. If extra help has been given beyond the above description, please register your entry under the family category.

 

Prizes: 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners for each category.

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Gingerbread House Contest Rules:

• Any structure (house, church, school, barn, lighthouse, train, airplane or any other imaginative dwelling) may be entered.

• The main structure can be constructed of either gingerbread or graham cracker. Original creations are encouraged, but purchased kits are certainly acceptable!

• All components of the display, except the base, must be made of edible materials such as candy, nuts, cereal, cookies, crackers, pretzels, pasta, etc. All wrappers and lollipop sticks should be removed.

• Houses may not contain any food item that needs refrigeration.

• All structures must be mounted on a hard, unbending base.

• One entry per person or family (if entering as one entity)

• Each contestant must fill out an entry from for his / her house.

• Size limit for base is 18”x 18” and entries need to new sturdy and able to be moved with consequence.

• Do not write your name anywhere on your entry. The staff will assign your gingerbread creation a

  number.

• Use the Royal Icing Recipe or at least a similar one. We cannot accept structures made with egg or

  butter icings as they can quickly turn rancid and also compromise the durability of the house.

  Entries will be judged on the following criteria: originality, creativity, attractiveness and decorative appeal, workmanship, stability and durability.

• Download a copy of the rules here:  Rules and Guidelines for Gingerbread Decorating Contest 

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