Archive: Around Town

The highly popular Gingerbread House Competition is making a return to downtown Ithaca this year, with an opportunity for members of the public to enter the competition and/or vote for their favorite gingerbread houses! Entries will be displayed in downtown Ithaca storefront windows from December 5, 2009 to December 25, 2009, and prizes will be awarded to the winners. 

There is no cost to enter the Downtown Ithaca Gingerbread House Competition, however participants are responsible for the cost of purchasing ingredients/supplies.  The competition has two categories... Family/Youth and Professional. Entries are limited to one per person/household/organization. The Family/Youth category is for families and children. The Professional category is for individuals and organizations that work, or are entering as a food service-related industry, such as cooking, baking, restaurant, bakery, cake decorating, etc.

Downtown Ithaca Alliance Events Coordinator Matthew Riis says, “Downtown Ithaca has always been a family-oriented community center. We see families at all of the events downtown hosts, and the Gingerbread House Competition is a great opportunity for them to get involved in a family activity during the holidays. We also realize that there are many local businesses and organizations that call Ithaca home and consider downtown their community center and we look forward to seeing them participate in the competition, as well.”   

Each gingerbread house should be no more than 12 inches wide x 18 inches deep, and can be any reasonable height. All gingerbread houses that are entered must include gingerbread, frosting and candy. Non-edible ingredients/materials are allowed, but must not be visible. All entries must be delivered to the Downtown Ithaca Alliance Offices in Center Ithaca at 171 The Commons, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2009, or Wednesday, December 4, 2009. Complete rules, information and registration forms are available at the DIA offices in Center Ithaca, or on the DIA website .

A public vote will determine the winners in both categories. Members of the public can vote for their favorite gingerbread house starting December 5, 2009, and continuing through 5:00 p.m., December 24, 2009. Ballot boxes and voter information will be available at all participating merchant locations. Prizes, including Downtown Dollars and gift certificates to downtown Ithaca merchants, will be awarded at the close of the competition. 

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