“Best of Show” winners to be chosen at Parade of Gingerbread Homes

Public voting takes place tonight at the 17<sup>th</sup> Annual Parade of Gingerbread Homes in Logan’s historic downtown, sponsored by the Logan Downtown Alliance.  From 6-9 p.m., ballots and maps will be available at Stork Landing, Anderson’s Seed &amp; Garden, Clover Patch Quilt Shop, Coppin’s Hallmark, Seeholzer Vision, The Sportsman, and SE Needham Jewelers. Each of seven entries will compete for one of three $100 grand prizes for the “Best of Show.” Winners will be notified by email on Saturday, with results being posted on social media.  

Throughout the evening, Stork Landing will host an opportunity for visitors to have their photos taken in front of a life-sized gingerbread house. Refreshments will be served, and participants can enter a drawing to win a $100 holiday gift card.

“The gingerbread walk in historic downtown is nostalgic,” said Jenilyn Groutage Needham, vice president of Stork Landing. “It has been joyful each year to see the different gingerbread creations. I am always impressed with the designs. What a precious tradition it has become! When I am strolling downtown with my children, it feels exactly like we are in the stores in Dr. Seuss’ Whoville.”

The Parade of Gingerbread Homes’ 2016 theme is “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” and each participating culinary artist embellished the theme with a unique creative flair. Suzy Metcalf, owner of <a href=”http://sweetcakesbysuzy.com/index.html”>Sweet Cakes by Suzy</a>, chose “A Partridge in a Pear Tree” for the title of her entry. She used chewing gum for the bricks on her house and fondant for its cobblestone. Final touches to the house were made with royal icing, with Metcalf piping intricate scrollwork to resemble lace. The term cake decorators use for this technique is called “filigree.”  

“It’s been a pleasure to participate in the gingerbread parade of homes,” Metcalf said. “I enjoy making edible art, and I hope that there’s a good turnout and that people will enjoy the art and enjoy the evening. And it does mean a lot to me when people do appreciate the work that I create.”

<p class=”m5984420269147105484msolistparagraph”>Gary Saxton, manager of the Logan Downtown Alliance, considers the Parade of Gingerbread Homes a benefit to both families and local merchants. The event is part of a series of community activities hosted by the Alliance throughout the year.

<p class=”m5984420269147105484msolistparagraph”>“The Parade of Gingerbread Homes is a fun activity for families to be together at Christmastime, to enjoy each other’s company and spend time in downtown Logan,” he said. “The purpose of all events is to bring our communities together to enjoy our culture, heritage and lifestyle.”

<p class=”m5984420269147105484msolistparagraph”>Gingerbread homes will be on display through December 31. More information is available at <a href=”http://www.logandowntown.org/”>www.logandowntown.org</a>.

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