MANSFIELD, Ohio –Sunday, Dec. 28 is the last day to enjoy “Kingwood Sparkles” and to vote on the people’s choice favorite amateur gingerbread house entry. “Kingwood Sparkles” means the elegant former residence is still beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Four years ago, faculty from the Kingwood Center decided to hold their own gingerbread house making competition. A little inter-workplace, friendly competition. Well, they had so much fun they decided to open it up to the public.
There are five categories now, and each has been judged by the faculty. The children’s category is for children up to sixth grade, and there’s also a teenager category, adult category, business and a family category. The public still has the opportunity to vote on their favorite sweet structures for the people’s choice.
The gallery, in the one-upon-a-time dance hall in the historical Kingwood mansion, is filled with decorated Christmas trees and edible houses. Some of the homes are immaculately detailed. Employee Lynn Haren said she invested eight hours into her second-placed gingerbread house.
“I spaced it out over a couple days but I probably have eight hours into it,” said Haren. “This Christmas tree took four hours to make. It took a long time,” she added.
Her gingerbread house featured a yard covered in icing snow and gum drop walk ways. She also made a pine tree made of green frosted rice Chex, and M&Ms for the lights. The hedges were green gum drops and the wreath a green Peach Ring. The front door was a Graham Cracker with a Hershey Kiss doorknob.
Kingwood Center is open from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. They will close Monday through Wednesday. Sunday, Dec. 28 is the last day to vote for a favorite house in each category and to see the decorations.
For more information visit their website or call 419-522-0211.
