PORT TOWNSEND — The 22nd annual Aldrich’s Market gingerbread house contest has already drawn several creative entries, but if past years are any indication, many more will come in by Saturday.
The display located in the front of the store at 940 Lawrence St., had drawn 12 entries by Christmas Eve from the sacred — a detailed representation of Trinity United Methodist Church across the street — to the mildly profane, a gleefully decorated gingerbread outhouse complete with reindeer droppings.
“People look forward to the contest because it’s a good family activity,” said store owner Milt Fukuda, who inherited the contest when he purchased Aldrich’s eight years ago.
“It’s part of the holiday season. We are responding to the community because it’s something people enjoy.”
The entry period began
Dec. 12 and ends when the store closes at 9 p.m. Saturday.
The award ceremony and prize distribution will take place at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
All entries will remain on display until Jan. 3 and must be picked up by 5 p.m. the following day.
The event is meant as a community service and as a benefit. The entry fee is one item for the Port Townsend food bank.
While there are several wildly creative entries each year, Fukuda said that many are “straightforward gingerbread houses from young kids who don’t want to create a huge project.”
Entries can be in any of three categories: individuals under 12, groups under 12 or those over 12 either as individuals or groups.
Projects must have names. They can incorporate themes as long as they aren’t political, the rules say.
The display must fit on a board no larger than 18 inches by 24 inches. There is no height restriction.
Gingerbread dough needs to provide the “foundation” for all of the structures, with extra credit awarded for the use of traditional gingerbread as opposed to gingerbread crackers, the rules state.
The prizes to be awarded are as yet undetermined, Fukuda said, but could contain cash rewards.
For more information, phone 360-385-0500.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.