Best in Show win went to gingerbread house maker Garrett Freeman’s Dream Home with a win of $1,000 at this year’s gingerbread house contest seen at Scoops Ice Cream. Photo by Phaedra Veronique
LAKE HAVASU CITY – Lake Havasu has said their farewells to the holiday season, however, the ending of festivities would not have been complete without sharing some last-minute sweet treats.
The second annual Gingerbread House Contest took place on Friday, December 20 at Scoops Ice Cream.
As a way to give back to the community last year, local Tax Accountant Carol Coleman and Scoops Ice Cream Owner Jan Susak partnered up for this community competition. With house entries from businesses, local clubs, families, and students, that launch of the first ever gingerbread house judging was a great success.
This year, the comeback received 20 tasty creative houses. Houses were delivered to the ice cream shop between December 9 and 13 for community judging. Locals were able to stop in and place their votes on which houses they liked the best.
Makers of the delicious creations were able to use gingerbread pre-made starter kits, or start from scratch. Only one gingerbread house per person or organization was eligible to participate.
Gingerbread house building rules were as follows. At least 90% of items on the houses needed to be edible. Participants could use candy canes, cookies, crackers, and even pretzels to meet these requirements.
Bases could include non-edible items such as figurines, ribbons, or paint. This year’s competition brought out various imaginative designs of airplanes, boats, lighthouses, barns, or other innovative ideas.
Entry fees were the same as last year. Youths were able to enter for $10, families and groups could participate for $25, and fees for participating businesses were $50. The night of the judging, the community gathered at Scoops for socializing, holiday song trivia, and to take in the sugary aromas that filled the space.
At 6:30 p.m., winners were then announced by Coleman who shared that all winners would receive gift cards to Scoops Ice Cream.
Third runner up was Jeanne Weider for Christmas Chapel House. Second runner up went to Deb Gaston for her unique making of Gingerbread Village. Brenda Foster was the first runner up for her gingerbread house titled Coming to Life. People’s choice award was given to Virginia Chambers for her colorful Ginger’s Tiki Bar gingerbread house. However, this year’s unbeatable Best in Show win went to gingerbread house maker Garrett Freeman’s Dream Home with a win of $1,000.
Entry fees, sponsors, and private donations went to the same nonprofits as last year, Havadopt and Clothes Closet.
Havadopt is well known for helping families in need of assistance with giving gifts to their children during the holiday season. Clothes Closet always has their doors open to provide free clothing to all individuals and families needing clothing.
Last year, Coleman, wished for the fundraising event to be a yearly Lake Havasu tradition. With the success of the previous two years bringing the community together, it looks this tradition will be continuing in the years to come.
Phaedra Veronique
