Culture
Athens Gingerbread Competition Entries To Be Displayed Uptown
By: Bryan Gibson
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Organizers of the Uptown for the Holidays Gingerbread Competition are gearing up for another impressive contest, with entries to be displayed at the Athens County Historical Society and Museum and in Court Street storefronts beginning Dec. 2.
“We are pleased that we have more entries this year, so it has grown,” said Jan Hodson, who helped organize last year’s inaugural event with her friend Joyce Mullins. “Six of this year’s contestants also entered last year, including last year’s Grand Prize winner, Nancy Mingus. We’re thankful that the Uptown Business Association and the Athens County Visitors Bureau contributed $500 each for the two grand prizes this year.”
Two grand prizes of $500 each will be awarded in addition to five first prizes of $200 awarded in other categories. The grand prizes will be awarded to the best replicas of an Athens city or county building, landmark or historical site, either by a professional or group of professionals, or by individuals or non-professional groups.
Eighteen entries were submitted this year, much to Hodson’s and Mullins’ delight.
“Joyce and I love the moment when we first see the gingerbread houses arrive for judging. The creativity is so impressive!” said Hodson.
All entries will be on display at the Athens County Historical Society and Museum, located at 65 North Court Street, Dec. 2-6 from 12-4 p.m. The display will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, the night Santa arrives for the annual Uptown Athens Tree Lighting ceremony.
“This year all the houses will be displayed at the museum for four days so people can see them all at once,” explained Hodson. “Then they’ll be displayed in windows uptown until Jan. 2.”
For more information about the Uptown for the Holidays Gingerbread Competition, visit www.athensgingerbread.com and the group’s Facebook page.
Gingerbread display hours at ACHS&M
Dec. 2-3 12-4 p.m.
Dec. 4 12-8 p.m.
Dec. 5 12-4 p.m.
Dec. 6 12-1:30 p.m.