Bake your cake (and win an award?) …and eat it, too!
Registration is open now until November 26 for Newton Cultural Development’s first Gingerbread House Exhibit and Contest. Inspired by the Portsmouth (NH) Historical Society’s well known, annual Gingerbread House contest, Newton Cultural Development Program Manager Lisa Rucinski decided to bring the same to Newton. “It’s a really creative opportunity for Newtonian bakers to demonstrate what they can do,” she said. People can bake anything — not just houses — but everything must be edible.
There are three categories open to Newton’s gingerbread bakers: Youth (up to age 15), Adults (ages 15+), and Teams. Baked offerings can be as large as 15 inches by 15 inches — and within that limit, Ms. Rucinski encourages bakers “to get really creative.” Among the requirements is that all entries must be named.
As many as 78 contest entries will be on view at City Hall — open for voting and viewing December 1-14. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller; Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Commissioner Nicole Banks; and Public Buildings Commissioner Josh Morse will determine the winners in each category. There will also be a “people’s choice” ballot for the public to vote for the most creative or whimsical entrants.
Bakers may bring their entries to City Hall 8:30AM-5PM from Monday, November 27 through Wednesday, November 29.
Ms. Rucinski suggests that creating Gingerbread Houses for this contest is an ideal Thanksgiving weekend activity. Winning creations will be on display at City Hall December 18-20 and may be retrieved by noon on Friday, December 22 in time to serve as holiday centerpieces.
The Gingerbread House Exhibit and Contest “is a way to promote the arts and gives Newtonians a chance to be creative in a different way,” according to Ms Rucinski, adding that it gives people a chance to share their creativity with everyone.
Ed. Note: We updated this article with the new registration deadline (November 26) and exhibit location (City Hall).