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Friday Brings the Start of the Holiday Season with the Third Annual Gingerbread House Competition at ASU

By Rebecca Mullins

Nov. 4, 2013. Habitat for Humanity and Lynn Gregory’s Fundraising Class at Appalachian State University co-host this year’s third annual Gingerbread House Competition.

The event offers live music, free food, door prizes and gingerbread house creation like you’ve never seen. All proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity and the building of a home for a family in our community. Come out with your friends to build a gingerbread house and help Habitat for Humanity build a house for one of our own here in Watauga county. 

The competition begins on Friday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Grandfather Ballroom in the Plemmons Student Union at Appalachian State University.

Competitors have one hour starting at about 6:45 p.m. to build a structurally sound, beautiful masterpiece out of the provided graham crackers, frosting and delectable sweets. Groups are allowed and encouraged to bring a little something extra to the table such as extra candy, food, basic crafts or even hot glue guns.

But do note, to keep the competition fair, pre-built structures are not permitted. All groups must assemble their houses in the one-hour time limit provided. 

If it turns out you’re running out of candy during the competition, you can just stroll on over to the candy booth set up in the room, where extra candy will be available for a small donation.

Following the one hour competition, the houses will be judged and prizes awarded to the winning groups in four separate categories:

  • people’s choice
  • best structural integrity
  • most creative
  • best overall house.

Door prizes will also be given to a few lucky visitors who win drawings.

Groups of up to five people can register for the competition here or at the competition the day of. Each group must pay a $25 registration fee to sign up, but when you’re hesitating to pull out the money, just remember, it’s going to a good cause: the Watauga Habitat for Humanity. 

Gingerbread House for PieceSarah Teel, one of three student leaders for the competition from Gregory’s class, stated that the joint hosts were hoping to raise $750 from this event.

“We’re looking to have 20 teams in the competition,” commented Teel. 

And with 11 currently signed up, there’s still room for more.

“We have a lot of student groups involved, but one thing we really want to push is community,” shared Josie Wood, a member of the Logistics Committee for the competition.

The Gingerbread Competition may be located at Appalachian, but it is open to everyone, from grade schoolers to seniors. Its for the community, the public and the school. 

And for those non-students worrying about where to park, there’s no need to fret. Free parking is available in the Library Parking Deck after 5:30 p.m. That should leave you with plenty of time to meet and greet before the competition even begins. 

And if you don’t want to build a gingerbread house, you can come out and support the teams that will be creating these delicious abodes.

Gregory’s class will be providing light snacks and refreshments such as cookies for those that visit, and two student a cappella groups will be serenading the guests with all your favorite Christmas songs.

So no matter who you are call your friends and get your creative juices flowing for a night of early Christmas fun this Friday night at the third annual Gingerbread House Competition.