Gingerbread House competition Archives - Nevada County Fairgrounds

Enter the Gingerbread House and Holiday Ornament Contest

November 7, 2019 |

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 7, 2019

Contact: Wendy Oaks, Information Officer, Nevada County Fairgrounds

(530) 273-6217;

ENTER THE GINGERBREAD HOUSE AND HOLIDAY ORNAMENT CONTESTS AT THE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS FAIRE

Submit your entry form by Friday, November 22

There are two fun contests for holiday bakers, decorators and crafters to enter at this year’s Country Christmas Faire – a gingerbread house competition and the new holiday ornament contest.

The gingerbread house competition includes divisions for youth, adults, individuals with disabilities, and groups. New this year is a Fairgrounds Building/Scene division for exhibitors who want to create a gingerbread house that represents a building or scene at the Fairgrounds.

Enter your best decorated ornament in this year’s new holiday ornament contest. With divisions for youth, adults and individuals with disabilities, exhibitors can either decorate a premade ornament or make an ornament from scratch. Class descriptions and rules are available here.

The deadline to turn in entry forms is Friday, November 22 by 4 pm. To enter, complete the process online here or submit an entry form at the Fairgrounds Office on McCourtney Road. It’s free to enter! Ribbons will be awarded to winners in both contests, as well as Best of Show and People’s Choice prizes. All gingerbread houses and ornaments will be on display in Ponderosa Hall during the Country Christmas Faire.

The Country Christmas Faire features of the work of talented artisans who fill the Fairgrounds exhibit buildings with thousands of quality handmade crafts and unique gifts. Visitors can also enjoy holiday music, gourmet festival foods, wagon rides, and a community bonfire. Santa Claus will be on hand with candy canes to greet children, so bring your camera to get that special photo. Free babysitting will be offered by Girl Scouts of the Northern Mines Service Unit in the Tall Pines Building. Errand Elves from Clear Creek School will be available in the lobby of Main Street Center to assist shoppers with packages throughout the event.

The Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 29, and runs through Sunday, December 1. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday; and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and free to children 12 and under. Parking is free.

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley. For more information, visit here or call (530) 273-6217.

Tags: Gingerbread House competition and Holiday Ornament Contest.

Enter the Gingerbread House and Holiday Ornament Contest

November 7, 2019 |

There are two fun contests for holiday bakers, decorators and crafters to enter at this year’s Country Christmas Faire – a gingerbread house competition and the new holiday ornament contest.

The gingerbread house competition includes divisions for youth, adults, individuals with disabilities, and groups. New this year is a Fairgrounds Building/Scene division for exhibitors who want to create a gingerbread house that represents a building or scene at the Fairgrounds.

Enter your best decorated ornament in this year’s new holiday ornament contest. With divisions for youth, adults and individuals with disabilities, exhibitors can either decorate a premade ornament or make an ornament from scratch. Class descriptions and rules are available here.

The deadline to turn in entry forms is Friday, November 22 by 4 pm. To enter, complete the process online here or submit an entry form at the Fairgrounds Office on McCourtney Road. It’s free to enter! Ribbons will be awarded to winners in both contests, as well as Best of Show and People’s Choice prizes. All gingerbread houses and ornaments will be on display in Ponderosa Hall during the Country Christmas Faire.

The Country Christmas Faire features of the work of talented artisans who fill the Fairgrounds exhibit buildings with thousands of quality handmade crafts and unique gifts. Visitors can also enjoy holiday music, gourmet festival foods, wagon rides, and a community bonfire. Santa Claus will be on hand with candy canes to greet children, so bring your camera to get that special photo. Free babysitting will be offered by Girl Scouts of the Northern Mines Service Unit in the Tall Pines Building. Errand Elves from Clear Creek School will be available in the lobby of Main Street Center to assist shoppers with packages throughout the event.

The Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 29, and runs through Sunday, December 1. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday; and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and free to children 12 and under. Parking is free.

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley. For more information, visit here or call (530) 273-6217.

Categories: Country Christmas Faire, Events, and Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Tags: Gingerbread House competition and Holiday Ornament Contest.

Gingerbread House Competition!

November 8, 2018 |

Now is the time for holiday bakers to think about the creation of a magical gingerbread house to enter in the 16^th annual Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire, held November 23, 24, and 25 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.

Competitors may enter any of the many categories, including children, teens, adults, special needs, families, and groups. There’s even a category for those who want to enter a house made from a kit. All those who enter and deliver a gingerbread house will receive one free admission pass to the Country Christmas Faire.

Ribbons are given to all winners, and the Best of Show winner will receive $100. A gift basket from Tess’ Kitchen Store will also be awarded to the Best of Show winner and the People’s Choice Award winner.

Entry forms must be received at the Fairgrounds by Friday, November 16 by 4 pm. The actual gingerbread house must be delivered to the Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 20 between the hours of 8 am – 4 pm at Ponderosa Hall. The cost is $2 to enter. Entry forms and a complete list of rules are available at the Fairgrounds office on McCourtney Road or here.

The Country Christmas Faire features the work of talented artisans who fill the Fairgrounds exhibit buildings with quality handmade crafts and unique gifts. Visitors can also enjoy holiday music, gourmet festival foods, wagon rides, and a community bonfire. Santa Claus will be on hand to greet children, so bring your camera to get that special photo. Santa will be available each day until an hour before closing time.

Free babysitting will be offered by Girl Scouts of the Northern Mines Service Unit and parents can drop off their children for free arts and crafts while they enjoy shopping. Errand Elves from Clear Creek School will be available in the lobby of Main Street Center to assist shoppers throughout the event.

The Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 23, and runs through Sunday, November 25. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday; and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and free to children 12 and under. Parking is free.

Categories: Country Christmas Faire, Events, and Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Tags: Gingerbread House competition and Gingerbread houses.

Enter the Gingerbread House Competition

October 22, 2018 |

Want to enter the Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire? The deadline to turn in the form is November 16. Forms are available here or at the Fairgrounds Office. It’s all part of the Country Christmas Faire, November 23 – 25 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Categories: Country Christmas Faire and Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Tags: Gingerbread House competition and Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Enter the Gingerbread House Competition

November 7, 2017 |

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 6, 2017

Contact: Rea Callender, CEO, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217;

Create A Gingerbread House And Win!
Submit your entry form by Friday, November 17

Now is the time for holiday bakers to think about the creation of a magical gingerbread house to enter in the 15th annual Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire, held November 24, 25, and 26 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Houses, bungalows, cottages, and castles fashioned from gingerbread will be displayed for the viewing pleasure of holiday shoppers during the Thanksgiving weekend festivities.

Competitors may enter any of the many categories, including children, teens, adults, special needs, families, and groups. There’s even a category for children under 8 years of age who want to enter a house made by a kit. All those who enter and deliver a gingerbread house exhibit will receive two free admission passes to the Country Christmas Faire.

Ribbons are given to all winners, and the Best of Show winner will receive $100. A special gift basket from Tess’ Kitchen Store will also be awarded to the Best of Show winner and the People’s Choice Award winner.

Entry forms must be received at the Fairgrounds between now and Friday, November 17 by 4 pm. The actual gingerbread house must be delivered to the Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 21 between the hours of 8 am – 5 pm at Ponderosa Hall. The cost is $2 to enter. Entry forms and a complete list of rules can be picked up at the Fairgrounds office on McCourtney Road, or downloaded from the Fair’s website here.

The Country Christmas Faire features the work of talented artisans who fill the Fairgrounds exhibit buildings with quality handmade crafts and unique gifts so you can get all your holiday shopping done at the Faire. Visitors can also enjoy holiday music, gourmet festival foods, wagon rides, and a community bonfire. Santa Claus will be on hand to greet children, so bring your camera to get that special photo. Santa will be available each day until an hour before closing time.

Free babysitting will be offered by Girl Scouts of the Northern Mines Service Unit so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy shopping. Errand Elves from Clear Creek School will be available in the lobby of Main Street Center to assist shoppers throughout the event.

The 33rd Annual Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 24, and runs through Sunday, November 26. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday; and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and free to children 12 and under. Parking is free. On Sunday, if you bring a can of food, you’ll receive $1 off admission. All food donated is collected by the Grass Valley Elks and used in their Christmas baskets to hand out to those in need.

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Tags: gingerbread house and Gingerbread House competition.

Enter the Gingerbread House Competition

November 5, 2017 |

How about creating a gingerbread house to enter in the Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire? There are lots of categories to choose from, and all those who enter receive two free admission tickets to the Christmas Faire. Forms are available here or at the Fairgrounds Office, and the deadline to turn in the form is November 17. It’s all part of the fun at the Country Christmas Faire, Thanksgiving weekend, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Categories: Country Christmas Faire and Events.
Tags: Christmas, christmas faire, Fairgrounds, gingerbread house, Gingerbread House competition, Grass Valley, Nevada City, Nevada County, and Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Country Christmas Faire Results

December 1, 2016 |

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 30, 2106

Contact: Robin Hauck, Deputy Manager
(530) 273-6217;

Country Christmas Faire Results
Gingerbread House Competition Results and Canned Food Drive Results

A successful canned food drive, more than 120 vendors, and 66 gingerbread houses built, made the 32^nd Annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds a success.

The 14^th Annual Gingerbread House Competition featured 66 entries. Of those entries, the Best of Show was awarded to Jan Haverty of Nevada City, and the People’s Choice Award went to Owen Strolle of Grass Valley. The Best of Show is chosen by the judges, and the People’s Choice is selected through ballots cast by individuals who attend the Christmas Faire.

First place winners in the traditional categories include Mimi Vanderleun, Josephine Hoover, Paxton Hoover, Hunter Kerschner, and Jaxin Milhous (age 5 & under); Crimson Layton, Claire Jones and Corbin Malcom (age 6-8); Owen Strolle and Finn Becker (ages 9 – 12); Esther Goldman and Avora Bradley (Kits: Age 8 and under); Aiden Keller (age 13-17); Mary Sweet (age 18 -64); Jan Haverty (age 65 & over); Emily Dorton (Special Needs); Zach Schaffer, J & C Anderson, K/1^st grade Scotten After School Program, 2^nd grade Scotten After School Program, 3^rd grade Scotten After School Program, and 4^th grade Scotten After School Program (group – children); Dasha and Katya Schaffer (group – teens); A, F and S Longacre (family); and T Schaffer and Cynthia Nicholsen (group- adults).

New this year, the popular coloring contest featured 154 coloring entries. First place winners include Madison Clark, Patricia Gizzi, Rebecca Hengesback, Katie Hengesback, Grant Lacosse, Justin Larsen, Kayla Larsen, Joshua Last, Fiona Longacre, Carson Nick, Jeremiah Nocera, and Richard Vaters.

At Sunday’s canned food drive, Grass Valley Elks Lodge #538, with help from Boy Scout Troop 21, collected more than 150 pounds of food. These donations will help feed 30 – 35 families in need during the holiday season.

The names of all the Gingerbread House Competition winners can be found here. The 2017 Country Christmas Faire is planned for Thanksgiving weekend, November 24, 25, and 26.

2016 Best of Show. Jan Haverty

2016 People’s Choice. Owen Strolle

Tags: christmas faire, coloring contest, and Gingerbread House competition.

Gingerbread House Competition Results and Canned Food Drive Results

November 30, 2016 |

A successful canned food drive, more than 120 vendors, and 66 gingerbread houses built, made the 32^nd Annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds a success.

The 14^th Annual Gingerbread House Competition featured 66 entries. Of those entries, the Best of Show was awarded to Jan Haverty of Nevada City, and the People’s Choice Award went to Owen Strolle of Grass Valley. The Best of Show is chosen by the judges, and the People’s Choice is selected through ballots cast by individuals who attend the Christmas Faire.

First place winners in the traditional categories include Mimi Vanderleun, Josephine Hoover, Paxton Hoover, Hunter Kerschner, and Jaxin Milhous (age 5 & under); Crimson Layton, Claire Jones and Corbin Malcom (age 6-8); Owen Strolle and Finn Becker (ages 9 – 12); Esther Goldman and Avora Bradley (Kits: Age 8 and under); Aiden Keller (age 13-17); Mary Sweet (age 18 -64); Jan Haverty (age 65 & over); Emily Dorton (Special Needs); Zach Schaffer, J & C Anderson, K/1^st grade Scotten After School Program, 2^nd grade Scotten After School Program, 3^rd grade Scotten After School Program, and 4^th grade Scotten After School Program (group – children); Dasha and Katya Schaffer (group – teens); A, F and S Longacre (family); and T Schaffer and Cynthia Nicholsen (group- adults).

New this year, the popular coloring contest featured 154 coloring entries. First place winners include Madison Clark, Patricia Gizzi, Rebecca Hengesback, Katie Hengesback, Grant Lacosse, Justin Larsen, Kayla Larsen, Joshua Last, Fiona Longacre, Carson Nick, Jeremiah Nocera, and Richard Vaters.

At Sunday’s canned food drive, Grass Valley Elks Lodge #538, with help from Boy Scout Troop 21, collected more than 150 pounds of food. These donations will help feed 30 – 35 families in need during the holiday season.

The names of all the Gingerbread House Competition winners can be found here. The 2017 Country Christmas Faire is planned for Thanksgiving weekend, November 24, 25, and 26.

2016 Best of Show. Jan Haverty

2016 People’s Choice. Owen Strolle

Categories: Country Christmas Faire, Events, and Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Tags: christmas faire, coloring contest, Fairgrounds, Gingerbread House competition, Gingerbread houses, Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Nevada County.

Create A Gingerbread House And Win!

November 4, 2016 |

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 3, 2016

Contact: Rea Callender, CEO, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217;

Create A Gingerbread House And Win!
Submit your entry form by Friday, November 18

Now is the time for holiday bakers to think about the creation of a magical Gingerbread House to enter into the 14th annual Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire, held November 25, 26, and 27 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Houses, bungalows, cottages, and castles fashioned from spicy gingerbread will be displayed for the viewing pleasure of holiday shoppers during the Thanksgiving weekend festivities.

Competitors may enter any of the many categories, including children, teens, adults, special needs, families, and groups. There’s even a category for children under 8 years of age who want to enter a house made by a kit. All those who enter a Gingerbread House exhibit will receive two free passes to the Country Christmas Faire.

Ribbons are given to all winners, and the Best of Show winner will receive $100. A special gift basket from Tess’ Kitchen Store will also be awarded to the Best of Show winner and the People’s Choice Award winner.

Entry forms must be received at the Fairgrounds between now and Friday, November 18 by 4 pm. The actual gingerbread house entry must be delivered to the Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 22 between the hours of 8 am – 5 pm at Ponderosa Hall. The cost is $2 to enter, and all Gingerbread House exhibitors will receive two free passes to the Country Christmas Faire.

Entry forms and a complete list of rules can be picked up at the Fairgrounds office on McCourtney Road, or downloaded below:

2016 Gingerbread House Competition Entry Form

The Country Christmas Faire features talented artisans who fill the Fairgrounds exhibit buildings with quality hand-made crafts and unique gifts, so you can get all your holiday shopping done in one location. Visitors to the Faire will enjoy strolling live entertainment, festival foods, wagon rides, and a community bon-fire. Santa Claus will be on hand to greet children, so bring your camera to get that special photo. Santa will be available each day until an hour before closing time.

Free babysitting will be offered by Girl Scouts of the Northern Mines Service Unit so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy shopping. Errand Elves from Clear Creek School will be available at Guest Services at Gate 1 to assist shoppers throughout the event.

The 32nd annual Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 25, and runs through Sunday, November 27. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday; and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, and free to children 12 and under. Parking is free. On Sunday, if you bring a can of food, you’ll receive $1 off admission. All food donated is collected by the Grass Valley Elks and used in their Christmas baskets that they hand out in December.

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley. For more information, visit NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

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Tags: country christmas faire and Gingerbread House competition.

Enter the Gingerbread House Competition

October 31, 2016 |

Want to enter the Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire? The deadline to turn in the form is November 18. Forms are available here or at the Fairgrounds Office. It’s all part of the Country Christmas Faire, November 25 – 27 at the Fairgrounds.