NEWBURYPORT — Winners were announced Friday in the gingerbread house contest — the centerpiece of the third annual Port Gingerbread Festival. Judges awarded top prize in the adult division to Andrea Blackington of Haverhill for her piece titled “Gingerbread, Tea, and a Touch of Magic”, which featured a teapot home surrounded by many delicate details including flower pots and a duck pond.
“This contest involves a very liberal interpretation of the word ‘house’,” according to organizer Mary Dissette. “In fact, we encourage sculptures, landscapes and dioramas, too. We want to bring out the creativity in everyone.”
The judging panel included architects, artists and pastry chefs. Other winners were: “We Love Dogs” by Michaela and Diane McGowan (Families & Multigenerational Division); “The House of the Lord” by Carolyn Fuller (Teen Division); “Building the Future, One Gumdrop at a Time” by Newburyport Recreation & Youth Services (Youth Group Division); and “The Twinkling Touch” by Brushed Hair Salon Team (Adult Organizations Division).
Separate “People’s Choice” awards were given on Sunday after ballots were cast by hundreds of visitors who streamed through the exhibition over the weekend. Winners of the popular vote were: “The Eiffel Tower” by 7-year-old Zachary Palenscar (Families & Multigenerational Division) and “American Renaissance” by American Renaissance Painting & Restoration (Adult Organizations Division). The people’s choices mirrored the judges’ choices in the teen, youth group and adult divisions.
A volunteer “elf” (usher) observed that the festival is a wonderful opportunity to entice children and their families to “give it a go themselves” and experience another way to celebrate the holidays apart from gift-giving. The festival was supported by 47 sponsors led by the Institution for Savings and the Massachusetts Cultural Council through the cultural councils of Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury and West Newbury. Proceeds benefit Nourishing the North Shore.