Published December 16, 2024
Breath held, Karen stepped off the elevator into the Conservatory’s Grand Atrium…carefully…”gingerly” holding her delicate creation. Having already traveled by car, her entry into last year’s annual Gingerbread Competition was holding up well. As she sat her sugary gingerbread castle down on the table at last, complete with a licorice roof, rainbow-sprinkled turrets and a gummy rainbow slide, she could breathe again.
For 17 years, hundreds of families have had the same moments: Looking around the gallery in triumph at what they’ve created – and transported – together. Quiet joy in imagining the mouth-watering delight they and the other contestants will bring to thousands of visitors this season. Perhaps pride that what was once a mess of icing, sprinkles, and gumdrops on the kitchen table at home has become their very own work of art to share with the world.
Karen says it is much more than a chance to win—it’s become a treasured tradition, representing family, community and creativity. She was inspired to enter the competition because several other family members had in the past. Last year’s theme, “Favorite Childhood Toy,” allowed Karen to dive into her nostalgia. After much deliberation, she chose to represent the Care Bears. “I totally did not expect to actually win it,” she laughed, the surprise still noticeable in her voice.
This sense of nostalgia and delight is echoed in the experience of long-time participant Kim G., whose family has participated in the competition annually since its first year in 2006. “They always participated in the youth category, and each of them would make their own,” Kim said, recalling how her three children eagerly anticipated each year’s theme. “They would always say, ‘Do you know what the theme is yet, Mom?’ It was always a big deal. It was about them being able to do it, not me doing it for them,” she said, emphasizing the importance of fostering independence and creativity in her children. The shared process of creating gingerbread houses became a cherished family tradition.
Even though her children, Mike and Marissa pictured here, are now grown, her family’s participation is still meaningful to them. “They still want to visit [the Gingerbread Competition] whenever they’re around,” she remarked, illustrating the lasting impact of their Conservatory experiences.
As the gingerbread competition continues to evolve, it serves as a testament to the power of community support and the Conservatory’s role in fostering creativity and connection. “You don’t have to be an artist to participate,” Karen asserted, reminding us that the true spirit of the competition lies in the joy of creation and the smiles it brings to those who behold the colorful displays.
Such community events thrive thanks to the generous support of donors, whose contributions enable the Conservatory to host experiences like the Annual Gingerbread Competition and Conservatory Aglow. Now, in its third week, the 18th Annual Gingerbread Competition is in full swing, with a theme of “Favorite Animated Film,” the stories of participants like Karen and Kim’s family remind us of the magic that unfolds when creativity, community and support come together to celebrate the simple joy of sharing our imagination with others.