Sweet Success: Annual Christmastown Gingerbread Contest displays edible masterpieces

LEAVENWORTH – Every year, the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce invites participants of all ages to enter their unique gingerbread creations into its Christmastown Gingerbread Contest at the Festhalle. 

“We were thrilled with the number of entries this year and the amazing talent in our gingerbread house builders,” said Jessica Stoller, Marketing and Public Relations Director for Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

Unable to use kits, participants come up with original, edible creations each year, with the opportunity to show off their skills to thousands of visitors and even earn a cash prize. The chamber selected first, second and third place winners in four categories: elementary, middle, adult and nonprofit. All of the entries were put on display in the Festhalle throughout December’s Christmastown festivities, where people could vote for their favorite. This year, the chamber had over 2,600 people vote.

Dayle Cherepy’s ornate multistory house won first place in the adult category and was voted the fan favorite for the year. Anna Dougherty took second place in the adult category with a gingerbread carousel.

In the nonprofit category, Karen Haire won first place and $1,000 for the Rotary of Leavenworth with a beautifully detailed house behind a shimmering creek. In second place, Briar Hoper won $500 for Leavenworth Scouts Troop 28 with a scene of mountain activities, such as ice fishing, skiing and getting a Christmas tree. Ann Peavey won third place, winning $250 for the Greater Leavenworth Museum. Peavey’s gingerbread creation depicted the Tannenbaum building and the recently restored glockenspiel, complete with the figurines posed outside of the window.

In the elementary category, Elias Barrett won first place for an igloo themed gingerbread house with lounging penguins, a seal and a snowman. Lachie Lee won second place, and participants Ian and Duncan won third.

For the middle school category, Nora Kasperski and Nolan Gatlin won first place with a classic style gingerbread house with a Christmas tree. Lola Minerich won second place with an underwater candyland theme, and Cora-Ayla-Roe-Blue placed third with a Hogwarts holiday quidditch match.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media