Old Town Gingerbread House Contest Results

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Strolling the streets of Old Town Manassas, you’ve probably seen them in the shop windows. Cotton candy rooftops and peppermint-drop footpaths trimmed the creations of local gingerbread “artists” competing in the 13th Annual Gingerbread Contest. This year, twelve decorated structures of all sizes and shapes added to the holiday decorations that adorned various Old Town merchant windows. The public has had the opportunity to vote on their favorite Gingerbread House either in the shops or on-line since December 1.

 The votes have been counted and the results for the four categories - individual adult, individual child,  and children’s community group, are in. No entries were received for a fourth category of adult community group. Sandy Miller, the Old Town Visitor’s Center manager, had the pleasure of calling the winners to tell them they had won. First place in the individual child category went to 9 year old Stephanie Flear of Manassas. “I was running around screaming!” said Flear upon finding out she won. “I couldn’t wait to call my grandparents. I’ve never won a contest before, and I did it all by myself!” Flear’s creation was on display in the window of Okra’s Louisiana Bistro. “We were thrilled to host the house,” says Wendy Meyers, General Manager of Okra’s. “We’re not just the best restaurant in town; we now have the best gingerbread house as well!”

Sharon Hall of Manassas took first place in the adult category with her peppermint roof trimmed house, and the Chesterbrook Academy of Gainesville captured first place with their replica of a train station for the children’s community group category. Second place went to Joshua Knight of Gainesville in the individual child category, and Audra Cole of Manassas in the individual adult category.Prizes for the contest were $75 for first place and $50.00 for second place in Old Town Gift Cards. All participants in the contest receive an official Certificate of Recognition for their wonderful efforts.

 The contest was organized by Historic Manassas Inc., a non-profit organization charged with the promotion and preservation of Old Town Manassas, as well as running the Old Town Visitor’s Center. To view all of the Gingerbread Houses in the contest, or information on other Old Town events, visit their website at www.visitmanassas.org.

 For further information on this release, please contact Steve Urry at steve@historicmanassasinc.org or 703-361-6599. For more complete information about Old Town, including events, shopping and dining visit our website at www.visitmanassas.org.