22nd Annual National Gingerbread House Competition

Applications now accepted for the largest gingerbread house competition in the country

The 22nd Annual National Gingerbread House Competition is about to kick off at The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C. The largest of its kind in the country, the contest is expected to draw record-breaking crowds.

From small and large decorative castles to artistic landscapes adorned in icing and peppermint, each year brings new creativity amongst participants. This year’s competition commences on Monday, Nov. 17, with contestants traveling from near and far hoping for a chance to win the grand prize of more than $7,500 in cash and prizes. The intricate designs take hours, if not days and weeks, to create and are constructed entirely of edible materials, of which 75 percent must be gingerbread. The over-the-top gingerbread creations will be judged by an elite judging panel of world renowned pastry chefs, the curator from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the author of “Making Great Gingerbread Houses” and more.

Launched locally in 1992, the competition remains a beloved celebration at the historic inn. Open to the general public for six weeks from Nov. 19, 2014 – Jan.1, 2015, resort guests and visitors eagerly anticipate viewing the hundreds of intricate stunning holiday designs on display. As always, viewing the gingerbread masterpieces will be free of charge.

Applications for this year’s event are currently being accepted now through Nov. 7, 2014. To download an entry form, please visit HERE. For more information or to make reservations, guests can call 1-800-438-5800 or visit www.omnihotels.com/AshevilleGrovePark. In keeping with the holiday spirit of giving, half of the parking proceeds, a $10 fee, will be donated to six local non-profit organizations – Eliada Foster Care, Asheville City Schools Foundation, American Legion Baseball Post #70, Homeward Bound, Council on Aging of Buncombe County and Children First/Communities in Schools. In 2013, The Omni Grove Park Inn was able to gift $64,000 to the local community.