Bakers of all ages are invited to apply for this year’s contest through Wednesday, September 25.
August 28, 2024 (DAYTON, Ohio) – A real treat of a Dayton Holiday Festival tradition is back for the 2024 celebration, and applications are now open to participate! The Downtown Dayton Partnership (DDP) is looking for up to 20 flour phenoms to be part of the 17th annual “Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays” contest. Completed gingerbread designs will be on display during the Dayton Holiday Festival kickoff event on Friday, November 29. During the event, members of the public will choose who should be named Best Baker on the Block and take home a cash prize.
Bakers and pastry designers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to fill out an online application detailing their vision and plan for their gingerbread creation. Up to 20 entrants will be selected to compete and have their finished gingerbread masterpiece on display inside of the Old Courthouse during the Dayton Holiday Festival kickoff event on Friday, November 29. Selected entrants will showcase their completed masterpiece to compete for the title of “Best House on the Block” with a top prize of $400. The second-place vote-getter will receive $200. All selected applicants will receive a $200 stipend to help cover the cost of building materials.
Traditional gingerbread houses, building replicas, and even cardboard entries are all allowed in the competition. Regardless of design, all exposed surfaces should be covered with edible materials. More contest guidelines and criteria can be found on the official entry form, which is available to fill out online here. Applications are due by Wednesday, September 25.
“The Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays contest is such a fun event that the downtown community looks forward to every holiday season,” said Katie Meyer, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership. “It’s no secret that Dayton is home to innovators, and this contest really brings out the crème de la crème of Dayton’s confectionary world. We’re excited to see how this year’s designers sprinkle a little magic on their creations!”
The Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays contest is part of the month-long Dayton Holiday Festival, presented by AES Ohio, the Downtown Dayton Partnership, and the Virginia W. Kettering Dayton Holiday Festival Fund. For more information on the contest and other activities that are part of the Dayton Holiday Festival, visit daytonholidayfestival.org.
For more information: Lynn Robertson, 937-224-1518 ext. 227 or robertson@downtowndayton.org
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