Join us on December 10th, for the 3rd Annual Downtown Gingerbread House Competition! This year the event will be held at the beautiful hotelVetro, in the meeting and event halls (go up the stairs to the second level from the ped mall entrance). There will be two 2 hour competitions with 1 hour and 30 minutes for creating and 30 minutes for judging and awards. Winners will be announced and receive a prize at the end of each competition.

The event will be ticketed; tickets will be $40/gingerbread house and each house can have up to 4 decorators. Each group will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to construct and decorate their houses. The competitions will be 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Each competition will have a 12 and under category and an all ages category. There will be a professional’s category during the 6pm – 8pm  competition. A cash bar will be open all day.

Tickets will be on sale online until 11:59 p.m. on December 9th. If any tickets remain the day of the competition, they will be sold at the door for $45.

To attend this event, you must pre-register by purchasing a ticket and identifying your shift. A ticket includes entry for parties of up to four people, and includes: gingerbread house pieces, royal frosting, candy supplies to decorate, and boxing so you can take your creation home for the holidays! Groups will also be able to bring extra supplies for their creation. All houses must be 100% edible.

While competitors are busy at work decorating their gingerbread houses, a holiday cash bar will be open to spectators and participants serving up specialty holiday drinks.

Winners will be announced and receive a prize at the end of each shift. Winners of the gingerbread categories will go home with a Downtown Iowa City gift card! Gingerbread houses will be judged in the following categories:

*The 12 & under category is kid driven, so each participant must be 12 & under. The general category is open to all ages and all talents.

All supplies for the construction and decorating of the gingerbread homes will be provided and are included in the $40 gingerbread house ticket. However, competitors are allowed to bring extra supplies for their creation. All houses must be 100% edible!