The annual Gingerbread House Contest is a popular feature of the holiday season at Old Sturbridge Village during Christmas by Candlelight. Houses are displayed in-person during Christmas by Candlelight and online in this virtual exhibit. 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 more!
Judges chose the category winners, and the public voted on the ‘Best in Show’
Category Winners & Runner Ups
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Entry 47: Verity Klassen, Alice Klassen, Nate Klassen, Adam Klassen
GROUP/FAMILY WINNER
Entry 47: Verity Klassen, Alice Klassen, Nate Klassen, Adam Klassen
GROUP/FAMILY WINNER
Judges’ Comments:
“The details and execution are amazing. The fine grass and shrubs, off-puffing marshmallow smoke, and merry pigs are all wonderful details.”
Comments from Entrant:
“We are excited for the new piggery! Nate (12) loves pigs and wanted to try his hand at making some.”
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Entry 16: Beth Dion and Amy Dalena
GROUP/FAMILY 2ND PLACE
Entry 16: Beth Dion and Amy Dalena
GROUP/FAMILY 2ND PLACE
Judges’ Comments:
“Beautiful rendition of a village classic. Loved the icicles. The natural mossy stones around the cemetery and the grandeur of the meetinghouse itself.”
Comments from Entrant:
“The church and cemetery, and the Rooster”
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Entry 22: Meghann Whittemore, Joshua Lewis, Augustus Lewis, Gunnar Lewis
GROUP/FAMILY 3RD PLACE
Entry 22: Meghann Whittemore, Joshua Lewis, Augustus Lewis, Gunnar Lewis
GROUP/FAMILY 3RD PLACE
Judges’ Comments:
“Camper is such an imaginative idea! We really enjoyed the little details like the BBQ, fire pit, and family customization.”
Comments from Entrant:
“Family Camper Life”
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Entry 44: Mayah Trias
YOUTH WINNER
Entry 44: Mayah Trias
YOUTH WINNER
Judges’ Comments:
“Bright, happy and makes you smile! Really liked the heart-shaped doors and windows.”
Comments from Entrant:
“Mayah’s creation was inspired by her favorite color, pink!”
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Entry 10: Maggie Vineyard
YOUTH 2ND PLACE
Entry 10: Maggie Vineyard
YOUTH 2ND PLACE
Judges’ Comments:
“Beautiful piping on roof and nice glass tree windows. Very pretty.”
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Entry 43: Isaiah Trias
YOUTH 3RD PLACE
Entry 43: Isaiah Trias
YOUTH 3RD PLACE
Judges’ Comments:
“Nice use of materials in the roof and orderly stacking of pretzels for the walls.”
Comments from Entrant:
“Isaiah’s creation was inspired by a survival theme. His gingerbread house is a log cabin by the ocean.”
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Entry 26: Ashley Morse and Christopher O'Meara
ADULT WINNER
Entry 26: Ashley Morse and Christopher O'Meara
ADULT WINNER
Judges’ Comments:
“What execution! We loved the almond roof, tidy siding, the warm glowing candles in the windows and the shimmery candy snow on the ground.”
Comments from Entrant:
“A traditional colonial New England Christmas.”
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Entry 42: Anne Trias
'BEST IN SHOW' WINNER and ADULT 2ND PLACE
Entry 42: Anne Trias
'BEST IN SHOW' WINNER and ADULT 2ND PLACE
Judges’ Comments:
“The 3D horse and carryall are amazing! We are so impressed by the meetinghouse with its seed roof as well. Very neat and tidy.”
Comments from Entrant:
“My entry was inspired by Christmas by Candlelight at Sturbridge Village. The display will be of the old meeting house during the Christmas Season, complete with horse-drawn trolley.”
Progress Photos (Submitted by Maker)
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Entry 45: Kara Ribeiro
ADULT 3RD PLACE (TIE)
Entry 45: Kara Ribeiro
ADULT 3RD PLACE (TIE)
Judges’ Comments:
“Wonderful depiction of the Freeman Farmhouse. Love the roof, kettle and use of color.”
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Entry 7: Steven Williamson
ADULT 3RD PLACE (TIE)
Entry 7: Steven Williamson
ADULT 3RD PLACE (TIE)
Judges’ Comments:
“It’s a peppermint wonderland! So bright and festive, and of course we loved the sparkly grasshopper.”
Comments from Entrant:
“Created a similar version around 1987 or so for the residents of a community home where I worked. Thought I’d do it again.”
All Entries
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Entry 6: Morgan Marani, David Marani, Lindsay McCallum, Gail McCallum
Group/Family
Entry 6: Morgan Marani, David Marani, Lindsay McCallum, Gail McCallum
Group/Family
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Entry 9: Christine Van Hook, Avalyn Van Hook, Haley Le Blanc , Micky Soper, Alex Soper, Janelle Vanhook
Group/Family
Entry 9: Christine Van Hook, Avalyn Van Hook, Haley Le Blanc , Micky Soper, Alex Soper, Janelle Vanhook
Group/Family
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Entry 11: Sarah Vineyard
Adult Non-Professional
Entry 11: Sarah Vineyard
Adult Non-Professional
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Entry 12: Angela Santamaria
Adult Non-Professional
Entry 12: Angela Santamaria
Adult Non-Professional
Comments from Entrant:
“I make one every year and I wanted to do one for The Village”
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Entry 13: Marissa and Josh Lima
Group/Family
Entry 13: Marissa and Josh Lima
Group/Family
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Entry 15: Holliann St. Jacques, Alex Rodrigues , Dylan and Chris
Group/Family
Entry 15: Holliann St. Jacques, Alex Rodrigues , Dylan and Chris
Group/Family
Comments from Entrant:
“Christmas Town”
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Entry 17: Sarah Hutnak, Megan Hutnak, Mikayla Prue
Group/Family
Entry 17: Sarah Hutnak, Megan Hutnak, Mikayla Prue
Group/Family
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Entry 19: Jonathan, Keri, Talia and Kaelyn Tremblay
Group/Family
Entry 19: Jonathan, Keri, Talia and Kaelyn Tremblay
Group/Family
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Entry 21: Alyssa Kreidler and Rebecca Jalbert
Group/Family
Entry 21: Alyssa Kreidler and Rebecca Jalbert
Group/Family
Comments from Entrant:
“My sister and I have been making gingerbread houses every Christmas for over 6 years now. This is the first year we are working together on the same house so we are making it bigger and better than ever!”
Progress Photos (Submitted by Maker)
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Entry 23: TJ, Becky, Stevie and Conor Cox
Group/Family
Entry 23: TJ, Becky, Stevie and Conor Cox
Group/Family
Comments from Entrant:
“Our 1 year old son loves tractors so our daughter thought it would be fun to make Santa’s farm! She drew up the blueprint and we got to work. On Santa’s farm you’ll find some chickens, a horse, a couple cows, pigs and sheep! And since the elves love sweets, Santa’s garden is growing fruit!”
“Our 1 year old son loves tractors so our daughter thought it would be fun to make Santa’s farm! She drew up the blueprint and we got to work. On Santa’s farm you’ll find some chickens, a horse, a couple cows, pigs and sheep! And since the elves love sweets, Santa’s garden is growing fruit!”
Progress Photos (Submitted by Maker)
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Entry 25: Jennifer Pratt
Adult Non-Professional
Entry 25: Jennifer Pratt
Adult Non-Professional
Comments from Entrant:
“Inspiration was Auntie’s Bakery on YouTube.”
Progress Photos (Submitted by Maker)
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Entry 28: Rachel Kellner, Samuel Martin, Ginny Martin, Frannie Martin, Aggie Martin
Group/Family
Entry 28: Rachel Kellner, Samuel Martin, Ginny Martin, Frannie Martin, Aggie Martin
Group/Family
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Entry 30: Beth-Anne Damon
Adult Non-Professional
Entry 30: Beth-Anne Damon
Adult Non-Professional
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Entry 31: John Adams
Youth
Entry 31: John Adams
Youth
This piece was created by probably our youngest entrant, at age 4!
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Entry 32: Jennifer Berry and Heide Levasseur
Adult Non-Professional
Entry 32: Jennifer Berry and Heide Levasseur
Adult Non-Professional
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Entry 33: Lisa Lavoie and Simone Lavoie
Group/Family
Entry 33: Lisa Lavoie and Simone Lavoie
Group/Family
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Entry 34: May, Josef, Abby, Bobby, and Charlie Ulrich
Group/Family
Entry 34: May, Josef, Abby, Bobby, and Charlie Ulrich
Group/Family
Comments from Entrant:
“Our 1765 farmhouse and farm.”
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Entry 37: Melissa Dearden, Brittney Smith and Carla McCarthy
Group/Family
Entry 37: Melissa Dearden, Brittney Smith and Carla McCarthy
Group/Family
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Entry 38: Elaina Holloway
Youth
Entry 38: Elaina Holloway
Youth
Comments from Entrant:
“Tanner and Layla live in Elaina’s gingerbread house. Elaina is 5 years old”
Progress Photos (Submitted by Maker)
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Entry 39: Evan Holloway, Ryleigh Yutkins, Dexter Yutkins
Group/Family
Entry 39: Evan Holloway, Ryleigh Yutkins, Dexter Yutkins
Group/Family
Comments from Entrant:
“Evan, Ryleigh and Dexter worked hard on the project and they call it Gummy Bears in Alaska”
Progress Photos (Submitted by Maker)
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Entry 40: Kacy Yutkins
Youth
Entry 40: Kacy Yutkins
Youth
Comments from Entrant:
“Kacy is 6 and had fun making her gingerbread house.”
Progress Photos (Submitted by Maker)
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Entry 41: Christine Bustin and Karen Goerner
Group/Family
Entry 41: Christine Bustin and Karen Goerner
Group/Family
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Entry 48: Jamie Riordan, Abby DeWitt, Tyler DeWitt , Lisa DeWitt
Group/Family
Entry 48: Jamie Riordan, Abby DeWitt, Tyler DeWitt , Lisa DeWitt
Group/Family
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Entry 49: Sam Naring
Adult Non-Professional
Entry 49: Sam Naring
Adult Non-Professional