Get Creative and Build More than a House

The holiday season officially starts when festive lights and cheerful decorations begin to beautify our streets and homes. It also means that it is time to prepare for the annual Gingerbread House Show & Competition at Blue Back Square in West Hartford, held Dec. 6-9.

The contest is calling on anyone who thinks they have the creative skills and culinary talent to craft a gingerbread house worthy of winning top honors. Entrees will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting Hartford Habitat. 

"This is a great way to elevate awareness about Habitat’s mission to offer those in need simple, decent, affordable housing in our community," said Barbara Lerner, Project Marketing Manager at Blue Back Square. 

The event is especially meaningful as the holidays are a time to give back. This event will help Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity build stable communities through homeownership. 

"This is a fun approach to increasing community involvement with Habitat for Humanity," said Mary Nurse, Marketing and Communications Development Officer for Hartford Habitat. "Whether you are helping out with a hammer and nails or by constructing a gingerbread house, the effort is appreciated and worthwhile."

Those interested, should enter in one of these categories: 

 Student, Amateur, Professional (Bakers, Chefs, Hobbyists)
 Community Champion (Stakeholder, Faith Group, Government, Business, Sponsor)
 Media Personality or Representative

Judging categories include: Traditional, Non-Traditional and Great Hartford Landmark.

All entries must be entirely edible and contain no produce, dairy or meat products. Completed houses must be delivered to 73 Isham Rd in Blue Back Square on Tuesday, Dec. 4 or Wednesday, Dec. 5. Dimensions should not exceed 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep by 3 feet high. Judging will take place Thursday morning, Dec. 6. 

Winning gingerbread houses will be live- auctioned off on Sunday, Dec. 9. All others will be part of an on-going silent auction held throughout the event, Dec. 6-9. For more information on the competition or the auction event, go to www.hartfordhabitat.org or contact Mary at 860-541-2208 ex: 102.

Hartford Habitat’s mission is to eliminate poverty housing by investing in low income, hardworking people. Habitat builds affordable, decent homes and sells them at no-profit and zero percent interest to families living in substandard conditions. These Habitat partner families commit to mortgage payments, work at least 150 "sweat equity" hours, and attend homeownership education classes covering financial literacy, budgeting and insurance issues. Habitat’s volunteer labor and donated funds build more than just a home. 

Blue Back Square is New England’s newest shopping, entertainment and living destination located in the heart of West Hartford.