The 4th annual Habitat for Humanity Gingerbread Build and Competition will be held in Blue Back Square beginning Dec. 4.

2013 Gingerbread Build. Submitted photo

Submitted releases from Habitat for Humanity and Blue Back Square

Aspiring bakers, chefs, artists, builders, architects, business owners, and community members are invited to “build” holiday cheer by registering for the 4th Annual Habitat Gingerbread Build and Competition which will be held Dec. 4-7, 2014, at 91 Memorial Rd. (former Ann Taylor Space) in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square.

The four-day event kicks off with a Thursday evening event showcasing gingerbread house decorating demonstrations by Chef Paul from Bloomfield High School, followed by:

• The 4th annual Gingerbread Build featuring media and sports personalities, business owners and more
• A four-day silent auction on the Gingerbread Build houses
• Decorating gingerbread houses – just for kids!

All Gingerbread House entries will be on display in the former Ann Taylor space in Blue Back Square and will be auctioned off to benefit Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity. Showcase your business and feel great about doing it!

2013 Gingerbread Build. Submitted photo

This year, Habitat is also hosting “Team Build Competitions” during the event. (Think “Trinity Students vs. UHart Students” or “Murchie Family vs. Kyle Family.”)  Teams will compete to complete a Gingerbread House in a certain amount of time and have fun, while helping to build a Home for the Holidays!

Attendance at the Gingerbread Build is free, however, the event raises money for Habitat for Humanity through sale of tickets for voting on the gingerbread displays, entry fees for general gingerbred house submission by the public, silent auction of all of the gingerbread houses (held throughout the event), and donations.

Kids are specially invited to help decorate gingerbread houses, and will receive a Hartford Habitat for Humanity apron and gingerbread man cookies. This activity is free, although donations are greatly appreciated. The kids events will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Attendees can also visit the Habitat ReStore information booth at 91 Memorial Road, West Hartford. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore sells new and gently used furniture, home accessories, appliances and more.

2013 Gingerbread Build. Submitted photo

Overall event hours are: Thursday, Dec. 4 and Friday, Dec. 5, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Click here for details about registering a team or entering a gingerbread house, or contact Marie McNamara at [email protected]  or 860-541-2208 X107.

Habitat for Humanity would like to give special thanks to Blue Back Square for donating the space for this year’s event and ClearChannel/iHeart Media for their coverage of the event.

Categories and Official Rules

Gingerbread Judging Categories

• Traditional
• Non-Traditional
• Greater Hartford Area Landmark
• Fan Favorite

Entry Categories

• Professional (pastry chefs, bakers, architects, etc.)
• Professionals in Training/Students
• Amateur

Rules:

• All entries must be entirely edible (not necessarily gingerbread) and delivered to the event space on Wednesday, Dec. 3  between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Dimensions should not exceed 2ft wide x 2ft deep
• Gingerbread houses will be sold/auctioned off on Sunday, Dec. 7