Gingerbread House Competition to Show 'Green Building Ingenuity'

From GEHC

The Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center (EHC) will host its fifth annual Sustainable Gingerbread House Competition and Exhibit. Designers are asked to create environmentally friendly houses that highlight sustainability and green building design using edible and natural materials.

“This is a great opportunity for families, businesses, civic groups, students and/or individuals to get into the holiday spirit and show off their gingerbread building talents and green building ingenuity,” said Jason West, director of programming.

At least three sustainable building elements must be included in the design of the gingerbread house, such as solar panels, rain barrels, a green roof, windmills, etc. Participants may use a traditional gingerbread recipe, a recipe for dog biscuits, bird seed cakes or any other edible product. The structure can also include birdseed, pine cones, leaves, twigs or anything from nature.

There are multiple categories for entry including: Pre K to 2nd Grade (group and individual), 3rd to 6thGrade (group and individual), Teen (group and individual), Adult (group and individual), Family (group) and Professional (group and individual). The overall winning entry will receive a $50 gift card from the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center Foundation.

Each participant must complete an electronic entry form, which can be accessed online at www.gwinnettEHC.org by Nov. 30, 2014.

Contestants are asked to deliver gingerbread houses to the EHC between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014; between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014; or between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014. Judging will take place during the week of Dec. 8, 2014.

Awards will be announced on the EHC website (www.gwinnettEHC.org) on Dec. 15, 2014. Entries will be available for viewing at the EHC until Jan. 5, 2015.

For more information about this event, contest rules and/or the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, visit www.gwinnettEHC.org.

Photo Caption:

Entries in the EHC Sustainable Gingerbread House Competition must contain a minimum of three sustainable elements. This entry from a previous year included candy cane rain chains and a vegetated roof made from coconut shavings and gum drops.