Published: October 29, 2009 12:17 pm      

17th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville, N.C.

Warm up those ovens because it’s time to be part of the 17th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition, hosted by the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, N.C. Each year, hundreds of contestants from across the country compete for cash and prizes, and thousands make the trip to experience this festive holiday tradition.

Not only is the historic Grove Park Inn lavishly decorated, but these are not your grandmother’s gingerbread houses. Last year’s winners included detailed merry-go-rounds, bustling corner stores with window shoppers, an RV park and a Native American camp created by a child. The amazing exhibit of gingerbread houses from this year’s contestants will be on display from Nov. 18 through Jan. 3.

Judging from a professional panel takes place on Nov. 16th in four categories: Adult (18 years and older), Teen (13-17), Youth (9-12) and Child (5-8). Entries are judged on appearance, originality/creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme.

Except for the base, entries must be constructed entirely of edible materials. Gingerbread houses in the competition cannot exceed two feet wide, two feet long and two feet high.

“It’s truly one of my favorite times of year at the resort,” says Heather Brannan, Special Events Manager at The Grove Park Inn. “It’s incredible what these contestants come up with each year, and I love watching the children glow with pride after they turn imagination into a work of art. This has become such a wonderful tradition.”

The National Gingerbread House Competition awards more than $12,000 in cash and prizes. The grand prize winner receives a $3000 cash prize, plus a two night Club Floor stay at The Grove Park Inn & Spa Resort, complete with dinner for two and breakfast daily at the historic hotel.

Contestants may deliver their entries starting Nov. 15 from 2 to 8 p.m. and again on Nov. 16 from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Judging begins on Nov. 16 with the awards presented that day at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Entries will be on display at Grove Park from Nov. 18 to Jan. 3. The public is invited to view the displays any Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests at the resort and those dining at one of the restaurants may view the displays at any time. A group of entries will also be placed on display at the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville.

The media is invited to attend the judging day or report on the displays during the holiday season. Please contact Rick Lyke (rlyke@mower.com or 704-916-6152). You can also get photography of the resort and from previous competitions by visiting: http://www.groveparkinn.com/Media/.

For more information about The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa or The National Gingerbread House Competition, please visit www.groveparkinn.com.