Get ready to pre-heat the oven, pull out the cookie sheets and gumdrops, and get ready for Essex Steam

Train and Riverboat’s 2nd Annual Gingerbread House Competition and Show! This year’s theme is

Christmas Around the World. This display will showcase the great holiday traditions of the

world.

Participants will draw inspiration for their creation from a Holiday tradition from anywhere

around the world. Participants must also provide a brief paragraph description of their

creation.

Join the fun this holiday season! Get creative and spread some holiday cheer!!!

GENERAL INFORMATION & DELIVERY DATES

ENTRY FORMSEntry and Entry Description Forms must be returned by 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2019. Entry Forms and Entry Description Forms should be emailed to groups@essexsteamtrain.com . Or you may Fax your forms to (860) 395- 0258 or mail (postmarked no later than 5 p.m. on October 31, 2019) the forms to the address below:

Essex Steam Train and RiverboatAttention: Gingerbread House DisplayOne Railroad Avenue

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We Built We Came We Ate the Front Porch

ESSEX STEAM TRAIN AND RIVERBOAT’S2nd ANNUAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION and

SHOW!

Essex, CT 06426

Entries that are not pre-registered will not be accepted. Entry numbers will be assigned upon receipt of the completed entry forms. Competitors will receive a confirmation letter with an entry number.

Gingerbread Houses may be entered in one of these categories:

Child: Individuals between the ages 5 and 8, entering as a single entrant or team; kits allowedYouth: Individuals between the ages 9 and 12, entering as a single entrant or team; kits allowedTeen: Individuals between the ages 13 and 17 entering as a single entrant or team; kits allowedAdult: Individuals age 18 and older entering as a single entrant or team; kits allowed

TEAMS: A team is defined as two or more individuals working on a single entry. If entering as a team, please list a team captain on the Entry Form and provide his/her contact information. If entering as a school group, the classroom teacher should be listed as the team captain and provide his/her contact information. Please submit a list of all team participants. A signature from a parent or legal guardian is required for each team member under 18 years of age. If individuals working on a team entry are of different ages that would place them in different categories independently, the team must enter in the appropriate category of the oldest individual in the group.

DELIVERY DATE: Entry Drop-Off: Wednesday, November 13, 2019Child and Youth 9am-1pm/Teen and Adult 2-6pm

Gingerbread structures should be delivered to the River Valley Junction building at Essex Steam Train, One Railroad Avenue, Essex, CT.

JUDGING:2019 Gingerbread Awards CeremonyDate/Time: Tuesday, November 19, 2019 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Three judges will be selected from the local community. Judging will be held on Tuesday, November 19, 2019. A small reception will be held after the judging for entrants and their guests. Winners will be announced (placements will posted on the winning entries). In the event of a tie, the competition Call Judge will be asked to break the tie. You will be notified if you receive an award and winners will be posted on our website. Please remember that the judging is subjective:

Entries will be judged on overall appearance and appeal (30 pts.), originality/creativity (30 pts.) workmanship/technique (30 pts.) difficulty (10 pts.)

Prizes awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd in all categories. First Place winners in each of the 4 categories will receive a $100 cash prize and trophy. Ribbons and a $50 cash prize will be awarded to 2nd place winners in each of the 4 categories. 3rd place winners in each of the four categories will receive a $25 cash prize and a ribbon.

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If entering as a Team, the team captain will be the recipient of any prizes. Distribution or splitting of any prize, ribbon or plaque will be left to the grouping to determine.

Kits may be used; however, difficulty and originality scores will be impacted.

Structures will also be reviewed for soundness of structure and adherence to size and construction guidelines. If we must make major repairs prior to judging or if structure does not meet guidelines, it will not be eligible for an award.

DISPLAY:Public Gingerbread DisplayNovember 15, 2019 to December 22, 2019

Every effort will be made to display all entries to their best advantage; however due to limitations of our display areas, detailed interiors or backs of houses may not be visible during display. Most houses will be seen from front and side viewing. Exhibit will be on display Friday, November 15, 2019 to Sunday, December 22, 2019 (some houses may be removed prior to Sunday, December 22, 2019 due to deterioration.)

CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES:

BASEStructure should be constructed on a sturdy base (heavy cardboard, foam core or wood, dependent on weight). If using cardboard, cover base with aluminum foil so that moisture from the icing does not soak into it. We suggest using ½ inch or ¾ inch plywood

Base not to exceed 24” x 24”.

Non-edible materials such as paint and/or ribbon are approved (and encouraged!) to decorate the outer edge of the base only (not to exceed the length and/or width of the base).

SIZEFinal overall dimensions of display (in combination with the base) limited to 24”x24”x 24” on a sturdy base (1/2 inch or ¾ inch plywood strongly suggested).

Base should only extend 6” beyond the perimeter of the primary structure. We may not be able to accommodate displays with large yards or areas outside the primary structure.

STRUCTURE Gingerbread structures may be houses, train stations, barns, birdhouses, lighthouses, bridges,

ships or other imaginative dwellings. Kits may be used; however, difficulty and originality scores will be impacted. Structure cannot exceed 24” in height. We recommend small to medium size single structures

(rather than scenes). Single structures with minimal yards are more easily viewed in our display.

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Gingerbread structures must be constructed mainly of gingerbread and icing. Styrofoam and other support materials are not permitted.

Use ROYAL ICING. We cannot accept structures made with egg or butter icings as they quickly turn rancid and soften causing the structure to disintegrate.

If baking gingerbread from scratch, bake several days before assembling to prevent shrinkage. Do not use anything on your house that requires refrigeration (such as prepared Jello, etc.) Use A LOT OF Royal Icing to assemble and decorate. Allow each portion to dry and harden

before moving. All components of the display, except for the base, must be made of edible materials. Edible

materials include candy, nuts, cereal, cookies, crackers, pasta and other food items that do not include wrappers or sticks, for example: lollipop sticks. Wrappers must be removed from candy and other decorations. Use of gum paste, fondant, pastillage, chocolate, modeling chocolate, royal icing, isomalt, cast sugar, gelatin and pressed sugar is encouraged. Use of “Disco Dust”, “Rainbow Dust” or hologram powder is permitted.

No artificial display materials such as Styrofoam, artificial snow, batteries, electric components or interior lighting are to be used in the construction or decoration of the entry. Any entry with non-edible components will be automatically disqualified.

Entries must be 3-dimensional. Final overall dimensions of display (including the base) limited to 24”x24”x24”.

Weight not to exceed 50 lbs. DO NOT include your name anywhere on the structure. Doing so will disqualify you from the

competition.

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RULES AND PROCEDURES

Attach ENTRY IDENTIFCATION FORM (below) to the bottom of the base of each entry BEFORE building your structure. A separate form for each entry is required. DO NOT include your name in the name of gingerbread house or anywhere on the structure. Doing so will disqualify you from the competition.

If a participant is under the age of 18 by the date of the competition, a signature from a parent

or legal guardian is required in addition to the minor’s signature and date of birth.

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ENTRY IDENTIFICATION FORM

Securely tape or glue this form to the bottom of the base of each entry BEFORE building your structure.

(Please print clearly)

NAME OF ORGANIZATION OR INDIVIDUAL TO BE LISTED ON ALL SIGNANGE:

NAME/TITLE OF HOUSE (As you’d like listed):

CATEGORY:

CONTACT NAME (will not be published):

CONTACT PHONE (will not be published):

CONTACT E-MAIL (will not be published):

If a participant is under the age of 18 by the date of the competition, a signature from a parent or legal guardian is required in addition to the minor’s signature and date of birth.

While it is understood that small children require some assistance in construction; please allow your child to be in charge of design, construction and decoration. Teen Youth and Child competitors may be supervised for safety precautions, by a parent, legal guardian or classroom teacher. Example: Assistance with operating stovetop/oven.

On-site creation of entries (other than minor repairs and set-up) is not permitted. Please make assembly brief, since the area is crowded during delivery times.

Entries must be constructed in 2019. Entry Forms and Entry Description Forms must be received by 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 31,

2019 by mail, fax or email. Gingerbread houses should be delivered to the River Valley Junction building at Essex Steam

Train, One Railroad Avenue, Essex on Sunday, November 10, 2019. Child and Youth 9am-1pm/Teen and Adult 2-6pm

Pick-up will be Monday, December 23, 2019 between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, December 28, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibits not picked up by 5 p.m. on Saturday,

December 28, 2019 will be destroyed unless previous arrangements have been made with the Gingerbread Committee.

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat (ESTR) reserves the right to refuse any entry deemed inappropriate. For additional questions, please contact the Special Events Department at (860) 767-0103, ext. 206

ESTR reserves the right to photograph or record audio and video of entries and event. Winners may be asked to pose for pictures with their entries. ESTR reserves all right to the photographs, video or audio and entrants agree that ESTR may use such media for whatever purposes they choose without further compensation. ESTR reserves the right to modify contest as necessary depending on number of type of entries or other factors including judge’s advice, merging categories or alteration of prizes. ESTR is not responsible for any damage to exhibits.

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ESSEX STEAM TRAIN AND RIVERBOATCHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD

Gingerbread House Contest and ShowEntry Form A Required for All Entries/Deadline: Thursday, October 31, 2019

Please Print Clearly. All fields are mandatory.

Division (circle one) Child (5-8)) Youth (9-12) Teen (13-17) Adult (18 and older)

Name of Gingerbread Entry:

Name:

Team Name (if applicable): (Teams must also complete Team Entry Form C)

Street Address:

City: State: Zip:

Phone: E-mail:

I understand and agree to all rules on front of form

Signature of Entrant/Team Captain:

Date:

Entrant date of birth (if under 18): Age: I affirm that the entrant listed above will independently design, construct and decorate the entry to be submitted.

Signature of Parent or Guardian: Date:

Please return this form and Entry Forms B (and C, if applicable) by email, fax or mail no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2019

Essex Steam Train and RiverboatOne Railroad Avenue, P.O. Box 426 Essex, CT 06426

Fax: (860) 395-0258Email: groups@essexsteamtrain.com

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ESSEX STEAM TRAIN AND RIVERBOATCHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD

Gingerbread House Contest and ShowEntry Description Form B

Required for All Entries/Deadline: DATE

Please return this form with Entry Form A by 5p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2019

Name of Gingerbread Entry:

Tell us about your entry:

Please return this entry form by email, fax or mail no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat8

One Railroad Avenue, P.O. Box 426 Essex, CT 06426Fax: (860) 395-0258

Email: groups@essexsteamtrain.comESSEX STEAM TRAIN AND RIVERBOAT

CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLDGingerbread House Contest and Show

Team Entry Form CEntry Form Required for All Team Entries/Deadline: Thursday, October 31, 2019

(form may be copied if necessary)Please return this form with Entry Forms A and B by 5p.m. on Thursday, October 31, 2019

PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Printed Name of Entrant Birth Date: / /

Signature of Entrant: Date: I affirm that the entrant listed above will independently design, construct and decorate the entry to be submitted

Signature of Parent or Guardian: Date:

Printed Name of Entrant Birth Date: / /

Signature of Entrant: Date: I affirm that the entrant listed above will independently design, construct and decorate the entry to be submitted

Signature of Parent or Guardian: Date:

Printed Name of Entrant Birth Date: / /

Signature of Entrant: Date: I affirm that the entrant listed above will independently design, construct and decorate the entry to be submitted

Signature of Parent or Guardian: Date:

Printed Name of Entrant Birth Date: / /

Signature of Entrant: Date: I affirm that the entrant listed above will independently design, construct and decorate the entry to be submitted

Signature of Parent or Guardian: Date:

Please return this entry form by email, fax or mail no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Essex Steam Train and RiverboatOne Railroad Avenue, P.O. Box 426 Essex, CT 06426

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Fax: (860) 395-0258Email: groups@essexsteamtrain.com

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