Wishing Tree Wins National Gingerbread House Competition

Jennifer Elmore of Chapel Hill has won Omni Grove Park Inn’s National Gingerbread House Competition with her gingerbread creation titled Wishing Tree.

This year’s competition display will be open to the public beginning on November 18th and will continue through January 3rd. As a means to preserve the overall guest experience, The Omni Grove Park Inn invites guests not staying at the resort to view the display Sunday afternoon through Thursday, excluding holidays.

A $10 parking charge will be in effect for all drive-on guests (one charge per vehicle, based on availability). The charge will cover the increased number of employees necessary to man the additional traffic flow and provide greater guest services to all of our guests.

Half of each parking charge collected this holiday season will be returned to the community in support of one of six local not-for-profits.

Photos of the gingerbread house entries and the award ceremony can be viewed online at www.citizen-times.com.

Please visit www.gingerbreadcompetition.com for additional information.

23rd Annual National Gingerbread House Competition Winners

Child category, ages five to eight
First place, Spirit Girls of China Grove, NC
Second place, Emmet Otter’s Friends of Blue Ridge, GA
Third place, Abbey Browning of Candler, NC

Youth category, ages nine to 12
First place, Coilin Anderson of Conover, NC
Second place, Perry Pate of Hickory, NC
Third place, Nadia Fuentes of Canton, NC

Teen category, ages 13-17
First place, Courtland High School German Program, Spotsylvania, VA
Second place, Emily Grant of Greer, SC
Third place, South Rowan High Rock the House Club, China Grove, NC

Adult category, ages 18 and up
Grand prize winner, Team Jengerbread: Jennifer Elmore and Mike Willauer, Chapel Hill, NC
Second place, Billie Mochow of Burns, TN
Third place, Suzanne Kanaly, Liberty Township, OH

(Photo taken by Vanessa de la Viña.)