PORT TOWNSEND — It’s the 17th year they have given awards for excellence in gingerbread architecture but the owners of Aldrich’s Market said the tradition of the brightly colored houses sitting in their store’s front window is timeless.
“We really don’t know how long it has been going on,” said Renee Fukuda, owner of the market.
“When we bought the store we just kept it going as people brought in the houses.
“Every year we seem to get more and more.
“It’s a great tradition because they look great and they make the store smell really good.”
Three awards were decided by the owners, who judged 21 gingerbread house submissions.
Jasmine Yearin won in the under-12 division for the entry “Gingerbread Farm.”
Barbara Ierulli won in the over-12 division for a house that resembled an Aldrich’s Market grocery bag.
In the group division, where 13 entries came in last week, the prize went to Sue and Ken Horvath with a creation called “Snowberry Manor.”
“We have a collectible castle at home that was the inspiration for this,” said Ken Horvath.
“Everything is edible on this except for the light.”
The three-tiered manor was specifically colored on each side and completed with a pig pen and marzipan pigs in the side yard.
The front door was left slightly ajar so an electric light on a timer would illuminate to show the fire was on inside.
“It took over a week,” said Sue Horvath.
“It was a lot of fun. We are already planning for next year.”
So is Aldrich’s.
“We are just happy people want to keep doing it,” said Fukuda.
“We like doing it here just as much.”
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.