Gingerbread House Competition! Traverse City

Crooked Tree Arts Center invites you to participate in a Gingerbread House contest! 
All submissions will be displayed. Holiday-themed prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

AWARDED CATEGORIES

• Youth 
• Adult 
• Group

JUDGING CRITERIA
Houses will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Overall appearance
• Originality and Creativity
• Difficulty
• Precision and Neatness

DATES
Gingerbread houses will be on display at CTAC-Traverse City in the Rotunda December 4-18, during gallery hours. 

• Deliver your starting on Saturday, December 4, during Merry Marketplace hours (10 am - 3 pm).  All gingerbreadhuses must be dropped off before Friday, December 17 at 2pm.  Judging will take place on Saturday, December 18 at 10am.
• Pick up your entry on Saturday, December 18, 3-5pm or by appointment Tuesday, December 21.

RULES AND GUIDELINES

• The gingerbread house must be constructed of gingerbread and other safe-to-eat materials; however, inedible interior structural support materials (such as foam board or cardboard) may be used.
• The house should be constructed on a sturdy base for handling and display. Bases could be made of heavy cardboard, foam core, or wood. Cover cardboard with aluminum foil or other waterproof material to avoid moisture from the icing soaking into the material.
• Only use royal icing; no egg or butter icing should be used.
• Base size should not exceed 16” x 16”. 
• Height should not exceed 24”.
• Tip: If baking gingerbread from scratch, make it several days ahead of time to avoid shrinkage after construction.
• Tip: Use a LOT of royal icing to assemble and decorate. Allow each portion to harden before moving.
• All entries will be handled with care. However, due to the fragile and ephemeral nature of the gingerbread house materials, CTAC can not be held responsible for damage that may occur to gingerbread houses while on display.