Merry Old Town Gingerbread Contest

For nearly twenty years,  the city of Manassas has held an annual 'Merry Old Town Gingerbread' contest and this year the tradition continues.

Tastily decorated gingerbread houses have been submitted throughout the years, some so lavish and yummy they would have made Hansel and Gretel's mouths water.

This is not an ordinary contest held on just one day. All the houses submitted will be displayed in store fronts lining Center and Main streets in Old Town for two to three weeks before being judged by the public. Voting for your favorite house begins December 1 and can be done online or at any of the shops participating.

Winners will be announced Wednesday, December 15th in two different categories: Adult - 16 and over; Children - 15 and under.

Prizes given out are as follows: 1st Place - $100; 2nd Place - $75 and 3rd Place - $50. The contest is free to enter and the prizes are in the form of gift cards that can be used in any of the stores or restaurants.

Get creative; think outside the 'house.'

Even though structures cannot be larger than 18" wide by 18" tall, they don't have to be in the form of a house. In past years, contestants have entered thoughtful ideas like 'Santa on the Beach', 'Santa on Vacation,' and even a gingerbread cuckoo clock submitted last year.

All entries are to be taken to the Old Town Visitor's Center located at 9431 West Street and must be ready for display and placed securely in a box for safe transport. Entries begin Friday November 18th and last until Wednesday the 23rd between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

If you cannot make the deadline of the 23rd, a short extension will be granted. So far not alot of entries have been submitted. So hurry— be as fast as the Gingerbread man—and turn in your holiday creation.

Contest rules

Entry forms