Gingerbread House Contest

The Festival of Trees Gingerbread House Contest, sponsored by Banner Bank, is a new event to take place at this year’s Family Festival Day, Saturday, November 30.

Click here to pre-register. Registration for contest entry is required by November 25, 2024. One entry per participant or (participating group/family). All houses must be placed on an 18” x 13” cookie sheet. Original creations are encouraged, but purchased kits are acceptable.

Each designer will receive admission into Saturday’s Family Festival Day*. No specific themes are required. Entry categories are Child (age 10 and under), Youth (ages 11 – 17), Adult (age 18 and up), and Group (family, business or organization). Guests of designers pay $5 admission at the door. 

Gingerbread houses must be dropped off at the Saint Joseph Center, 215 N. 15th Street in Mount Vernon between 9 and 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 30.

Gingerbread house entries will be judged on five criteria: appearance, creativity, “Holiday Spirit” incorporated in the design, use of materials and technical skill.

Judging will take place at 2 p.m. Contest winners will be announced at 3 p.m. The Festival of Trees would like to display the houses through the weekend. Participants wanting to take their creations home may return to the Festival of Trees venue before 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 1. Houses will not be kept after 2 p.m.

*Family Festival Day activities include six different kids’ activities, live musical entertainment, raffle tree tickets for the chance to win a beautiful holiday tree, designer wreath sales and refreshments.

Family Festival Days are held Saturday, November 30, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday, December 1, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Admission is $5 per person at the door.