2021 Virtual Gingerbread House Exhibit

The annual Gingerbread House Contest is a popular feature of the holiday season at Old Sturbridge Village during Christmas by Candlelight. This year, entrants could choose to enter the in-person contest or the virtual contest. We received several dozen spectacular entries and we hope you enjoy this virtual exhibit.

Click on any of the images below to learn more about the entry, view a larger image, see other angles, and in some cases, even see the creators behind the sweet masterpiece!

Judges chose the category winners, and the public voted on the ‘Best in Show.’

Family Entries

Entry 55: Anne, Isaiah, and Mayah Trias

Amherst, MA

Entry 55: Anne, Isaiah, and Mayah Trias

Amherst, MA

In-Progress Shots:
Entry 56: Dina and Mia Smith

Granby, MA

Entry 56: Dina and Mia Smith

Granby, MA

Comment from the entrant: “When finding out about the contest, Mia was so very excited to design something! Mia’s theme was “Christmas by the Ocean”. This lighthouse is designed after the Boston Lighthouse. Though only being our first time doing this and having hurdles along the way, it was a great Mother/Daughter bonding time. We are in hopes to see what the ocean looks like one day during Christmas. Until then, we will imagine it being similar to Mia’s design.”

In-Progress Shot:
Entry 60: Leigh Rosenorn, Katherine Rosenorn, Peter Rosenorn and William Rosenorn

Winchester, MA

Entry 60: Leigh Rosenorn, Katherine Rosenorn, Peter Rosenorn and William Rosenorn

Winchester, MA

Comment from the entrant: “The theme of the house is “Santa’s village-all are welcome!”

In-Progress Shots
Entry 62: Deborah, Aidan, and Caomh Quesnette

Southwick, MA

Entry 62: Deborah, Aidan, and Caomh Quesnette

Southwick, MA
Entry 65: Rein Family

Newton, MA

Entry 65: Rein Family

Newton, MA

“Multicultural Winter Wonderland”

Comments from Entrant: “Our family decided to create a multicultural winter wonderland, inspired by our New England Jewish and Catholic home. Here you’ll see windows with a menorah, angel, star of David, a stocking and wreath. We used powdered sugar for snow! The walkway is made of candy, outlined with chickpeas. We had fun making edible playdough (somebody ate some), used for holiday tree and gifts, ice skating, snowman and jolly sleigh rider – representing people of all backgrounds coming together.”
Entry 37: LillyAnn Alicea, Riley Cram, Krystal Ruzzoli and Brandon Cram

Southbridge, MA

Entry 37: LillyAnn Alicea, Riley Cram, Krystal Ruzzoli and Brandon Cram

Southbridge, MA
Entry 38: Rachel Swayze, Dana Swayze, Jacob Swayze

Woodstock, CT

Entry 38: Rachel Swayze, Dana Swayze, Jacob Swayze

Woodstock, CT
Entry 40: Sarah Hutnak, Meg Hutnak, Mikayla Prue | SECOND PLACE IN CATEGORY

Douglas, MA

Entry 40: Sarah Hutnak, Meg Hutnak, Mikayla Prue | SECOND PLACE IN CATEGORY

Douglas, MA
Entry 42: Rylee Houle, Sophia Kwasek, Damien Scotto, Barbara Southall

North Grosvenordale, CT

Entry 42: Rylee Houle, Sophia Kwasek, Damien Scotto, Barbara Southall

North Grosvenordale, CT

Comment from entrant: “Charlie Brown and Snoopy because we love them!”
CATEGORY WINNER | Entry 43: Amy Dalena, Beth Dion, Rory Herrick, Bowden Herrick, Tegan Herrick

Sturbridge, MA

CATEGORY WINNER | Entry 43: Amy Dalena, Beth Dion, Rory Herrick, Bowden Herrick, Tegan Herrick

Sturbridge, MA

Comment from entrant: “We Love OSV- every building has a special meaning”
Entry 46: Mark Tebo, Patricia Medina, Emani, Noalina

Attleboro, MA

Entry 46: Mark Tebo, Patricia Medina, Emani, Noalina

Attleboro, MA
Entry 47: Jordyn, Jack, and Jen Berry

Petersham, MA

Entry 47: Jordyn, Jack, and Jen Berry

Petersham, MA
Entry 50: Julie, Isabel, and Gabriel Hull | THIRD PLACE IN CATEGORY

Union, CT

Entry 50: Julie, Isabel, and Gabriel Hull | THIRD PLACE IN CATEGORY

Union, CT
Entry 51: Timothy, Rebecca, Stevie, and Conor Cox

Woodstock Valley, CT

Entry 51: Timothy, Rebecca, Stevie, and Conor Cox

Woodstock Valley, CT
Entry 59: Sophia McMahon, Hunter McMahon, Tami Christopher

Meriden

Entry 59: Sophia McMahon, Hunter McMahon, Tami Christopher

Meriden

Comment from entrant: “My Hero Academia series”
Entry 57: Brooke Rennie & Hayden Rennie

Rumford, RI

Entry 57: Brooke Rennie & Hayden Rennie

Rumford, RI

Comment from entrant: “We were inspired by the children’s book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg”
Entry 63: Cathy and Ella Schofield

Southbridge, MA

Entry 63: Cathy and Ella Schofield

Southbridge, MA

Adult Non-Professional

Entry 8: Cheryl Granger

Willington, CT

Entry 8: Cheryl Granger

Willington, CT

Comment from entrant: “We decided to make this gingerbread house because we like visiting grist mills!”

In-Progress Shot
CATEGORY WINNER & VOTED 'BEST IN SHOW' | Entry 1: Denelle Cooke

North Grosvenordale, CT

CATEGORY WINNER & VOTED 'BEST IN SHOW' | Entry 1: Denelle Cooke

North Grosvenordale, CT
Entry 2: Lindsay Speight | THIRD PLACE IN CATEGORY

Uxbridge, MA

Entry 2: Lindsay Speight | THIRD PLACE IN CATEGORY

Uxbridge, MA
Entry 4: Heidi Mosher

Athol, MA

Entry 4: Heidi Mosher

Athol, MA

Comment from entrant: “We are going to try to emulate the Rabbit Run Railroad station.”
Entry 5: Julia Nadler | SECOND PLACE IN CATEGORY

Sturbridge, MA

Entry 5: Julia Nadler | SECOND PLACE IN CATEGORY

Sturbridge, MA

Comment from entrant: “Just for the love of Baking and the Holidays”
Entry 6: Audrey McCracken

Holland, MA

Entry 6: Audrey McCracken

Holland, MA