The Hoard Historical Museum in Fort Atkinson has announced that their annual gingerbread house contest is back for its 10th year in preparation for the upcoming holidays.

The contest is open to individuals of all ages, groups, and families to construct gingerbread houses or buildings and enter them into the museum’s contest.

“Over the past decade, it has been a pleasure to see the large variety of entries into our contest,” said Merrilee, Director of the Hoard Historical Museum, “Seeing everyone’s creativity is something we look forward to every single year and this year will be no different.”

Gingerbread bakers may enter in one of four categories: Original building design by kit; Original building design by scratch; Building replica design by kit; or Building replica design by scratch. Building replica designs are inspired by real buildings, such as your own house, a church in town, or the White House in Washington, D.C., as well as fictional buildings such as the house from “Bluey” or Platform 9 ¾ from the Harry Potter series. Original building designs are not found in real life or in fiction.

Gingerbread creations must take the form of a house or a building, and they must be decorated by edible materials, but non-edible interior support structure material may be used. Houses must be placed on a sturdy board base no larger than 24” by 24.” Each gingerbread entry also needs a completed entry form. Copies of the form can be found on the museum’s website,
www.hoardmuseum.org, or are available for pick up at the museum’s office.

There is no fee to enter the contest. To enter this exhibit and contest, bring completed gingerbread house and completed registration form with the list of materials used in constructing the gingerbread structure to the museum. Registration and drop off for the 10th annual contest will be from Tuesday, December 2-Saturday, December 6 during regular museum hours or contact museum staff for an alternative time. For more specifications and requirements, please pick up an entry form at the Hoard Historical Museum during open hours, visit the Museum’s website, www.hoardmuseum.org or send an email request to info@hoardmuseum.org.

The Gingerbread House Exhibit will be open for viewing beginning on Tuesday, December 9. The Popular Choice Penny-Voting will occur from Tuesday, December 9, through Saturday, December 13, during the museum’s regular hours of 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. “It’s always challenging to pick your favorite gingerbread house,” said Lee. “But this is one time you can
vote as many times as you like for your favorite!” The houses will also be judged by judges who are not museum staff. Awards will be announced on Tuesday, December 16th on the museum’s website and Facebook page. First place winners in each category are awarded a cash prize and ribbon. Ribbons and certificates will also be given to second, third, and honorable mention in each category.

Entries must be dropped off at the museum by Saturday, December 6 by 4:30 pm and must be picked up by Saturday, December 20 during regular museum hours. Contact museum staff for an alternative time if necessary. If entries are not picked up, they will be disposed of by museum staff.

The Hoard Historical Museum and National Dairy Shrine Museum are located at 401 Whitewater Avenue in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. The museums are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information, call the museums at 920.397.9914, visit our website www.hoardmuseum.org, and
like us on Facebook.

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Hoard Historical Museum.