Better Than Fiction: 32nd annual Gingerbread Contest on display

Special to Seacoastonline
·1 min read
Gingerbread contest entry depicting Strega Nona, a book whose artwork was featured in the Portsmouth Historical Society’s “Imagine That: The Power of Picture Books” exhibition earlier this year.
Gingerbread contest entry depicting Strega Nona, a book whose artwork was featured in the Portsmouth Historical Society’s “Imagine That: The Power of Picture Books” exhibition earlier this year.

PORTSMOUTH - Escape into a land of fantasy at the 32nd Annual Gingerbread Contest and Exhibition. Visitors to the Portsmouth Historical Society can enjoy the display of nearly 100 different gingerbread houses built by members of the Seacoast community.

Entries include scenes from beloved childhood stories such as Madeline, fantasy castles like Hogwarts, and many holiday movies ranging from the Polar Express to Die Hard. This year’s theme of fictional characters and places was inspired by “Show + Tell: Greater Seacoast Illustrators,” currently on exhibit at the Portsmouth Historical Society, and the previous exhibition “Imagine That! The Power of Picture Books.” Executive Director Emma Stratton said, “We are delighted to host this exhibition again and see how many gingerbread entries were inspired by books like Curious George and Miss Rumphius that were featured in our earlier exhibitions this year.”

Festivities begin with the Vintage Christmas Kick-Off Party on Friday, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m., where Community Judges Awards will be announced. In addition to enjoying the display, visitors can cast their vote for the People’s Choice Awards. A lucky few raffle winners may even take a gingerbread masterpiece home. The gingerbread festivities continue outside the Portsmouth Historical Society at 18 local businesses with a Downtown Scavenger Hunt.

Thank you to the sponsors who supported this community event: Kennebunk Savings Bank, The Music Hall, Avery Insurance, Devine Millimet, EnviroVantage, Bangor Savings Bank, and Louis F. Clarizio, DDS PA.

This exhibition opened on Friday, Nov. 25 and will run until Friday, Dec. 22 at the Portsmouth Historical Society’s Welcome Center and Galleries at 10 Middle Street. Admission is free for all. For more information about the exhibition and related events please visit https://portsmouthhistory.org/exhibitions/gingerbread2022/

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: 32nd annual Gingerbread Contest entries on display in Portsmouth NH