The Annual Gingerbread House Contest - Part 2

I was touring the 2018 gingerbread house contest at the TAUNY Center in Canton, New York (see also Part 1, posted yesterday). I came to this entry, titled "The Candy Cottage," a reference to the story of Hansel and Gretel. It won third place in the youth category, ages 12-17. I thought this deserved more than third place so it got my vote for the "People's Choice" award:

A side view of The Candy Cottage. The judges remarked on the candy rocks lining the driveway, the details on the roof tiles, the candy cane archway and the Tootsie Roll log pile:

This entry took me aback because it was not a traditional gingerbread house. It was a sea-green, translucent dome, with a futuristic city inside, a creative imagining of the Lost City Of Atlantis. I knew from watching baking contests on the Food Channel that the seawater dome was constructed of what is called "sugar work," and the sign said it had been created with five pounds of sugar and two bottles of corn syrup. This entry won first place in the adult category:

I moved my camera close for a shot of the futuristic city of Atlantis inside the seawater dome. It was intricately detailed and wildly creative. Are you wondering where the gingerbread is? Look at the base in the above photo, and don't miss the rocks, starfish and seaweed. This entry really deserved first place:

"The Princess And The Pea" won first place in the Family/Group category. The judges remarked on the stained glass windows, the use of mixed materials in the layers of mattresses, the tiled floor and the woven rug:

This entry was also unique, and won second place in the youth category, ages 12-17. It was called "Miremel, The Gingerbread Dragon." The scales of the dragon were individually cut out of gingerbread and the wings, eyes and egg were made of poured sugar glass. The judges were rightly impressed:

This was titled, "Anti-Santa D & D Convention." I had to read the maker's comments to understand that she was referencing three myths: The Yule Cat, Krampus and Belsnikle. This was awarded third place in the youth category, ages 12-17:

This entry was titled "Lookin' For Her Prince" and referenced the story of Rapunzel. It won a third place in the youth category, ages 12-17. The judges remarked on Rapunzel's pasta braid hair and the tower garland:

This "Princess And The Pea" entry, unlike the other one, was with the pea still in place - and you can see the pea down at the bottom of the pile. This won a second place in the family/group category and the judges remarked on the cat and the detail on the top blanket. I know a little girl in the family who made this, so I'll have to remember to compliment her the next time I see her:

"The Jolly Roger," referencing the final battle between Captain Hook and Peter Pan. The many details included a clock in the jaws of the crocodile. The judges remarked on the water, the drape of the sails and the pitch of the boat on the waves. It won first place in the youth category, ages 12-17:

"The Trojan Horse," with the city of Troy and warring red gummy bears as Greeks and green gummy bears as Trojans. The judges remarked on the fruit-slice ships and the soldiers (gummy bears) coming out of the horse. This entry won a second place in the youth category, ages 12-17:

"The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe" won second place in the children's category, up to age 11. The judges liked the lamp post and the wardrobe:

This entry was not entered in the contest, but was just for show. It was a clever representation of "The Myth Of Fall In The North Country," a tongue-in-cheek reminder that it was still fall when the contest began even though we had frigid temperatures and plenty of snow:

The Annual Gingerbread House Contest - Part 1

One of my favorite annual events is the gingerbread house contest at TAUNY, Traditional Arts In Upstate New York, located in Canton, the St. Lawrence County seat. It happens every December, so I drove to Canton and parked out front:

Inside, they display and sell artwork and crafts from local people, including Native Americans and the Amish:

There is a special emphasis on history and old time crafts, in the hope of preserving and perpetuating them for future generations:

This violin playing chainsaw bear is not for sale, but a regular fixture and is generally right next to where music groups perform on special occasions. That's why there is a tip jar there:

There are many shelves full of items by local artisans and a space upstairs for group activities:

I have purchased many Christmas gifts here:

There isn't much that local people don't make. We are a creative people in the north country:

But I had come to see the gingerbread house contest display and I spotted it just past the elevator doors, perfectly lit for taking photos. The theme this year was "Fairy Tales and Myths:"

The first entry was Rapunzel, letting down her hair from the tower. It had been awarded second place in the "Children up to age 11" category:

A view from another angle. Both the turret and the pine trees were made from ice cream cones. The judges remarked on the clever little pond, complete with Swedish Fish:

Little Red Riding Hood was the next entry I came to. It won first place in the adult category. The judges remarked on the pink cottage, the perfect trees, the wolf (before it ate Grandma) and Little Red's cape. They also liked the decorative swirls on the cottage and the icicles hanging from the eaves:

This entry was titled "Hansel and Gretel and the Snow Family." I never found out who the Snow Family was, but of course I was familiar with the story of Hansel and Gretel. This creation won first place in the "Children up to age 11" Category. The judges remarked on the roof shingles and the wreath over the door. There were lots more entries yet to see, and I'll post Part 2 tomorrow:

2017 Gingerbread House Contest - Part 2

Part 2 of the TAUNY (Traditional Arts In Upstate New York) gingerbread house contest. As I did yesterday, I'll present the information first, followed by a closeup of the gingerbread entry. The theme this year was "Where The Music Happens:"

Around The Campfire:

Christmastime At Morgan's:

A Family Christmas:

Anytown, NY:

Pickens Hall:

Snowmen At Christmas (this one got my vote for People's Choice Award:

I walked back to the sales and display space just as a country ensemble was tuning up. The chainsaw bear in the background looked like it was going to join in:

TAUNY was holding their yearly open house and refreshments were available:

It was a festive Christmas occasion, but time for me to drive home. I love this gingerbread contest each year and I try to take photos of it every December:

2017 Gingerbread House Contest - Part 1

I drove to Canton, NY for my annual visit to the TAUNY (Traditional Arts In Upstate New York) Gingerbread House contest. When I arrived, I saw that they had a busy sales floor with many exhibits:

I headed directly to the gingerbread house contest display. This year's theme was "Where The Music Happens" and they had entries from all age groups:

Instead of summarizing the information on their signs, I'll begin each entry with a photo of the sign which shows the creator(s), their inspiration and any awards they won. To enlarge the photo, simply click on it:

To Hear My Dad Sing:

 Just Add Human:




Cello Suite:

Inside Cello Suite, showing an edible cello and a cello photo on the wall:

Enchanted Home In The Woods. That little log building back in the trees was a faerie chicken coop, complete with hens on roosts:

Looking in through the front of Enchanted Home In The Woods:

Caroler's Dream:

I'll post Part 2 tomorrow!