Nov. 16, 2011 - Jan. 1, 2012
For a real treat, see the amazing display of gingerbread houses at Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville on November 16, 2011-January 1, 2012 on Sundays-Thursdays, 10 AM until 10 PM. Valet parking is available at $10 a vehicle. Resort guests may view the display at any time. Additionally, a group of entries will be placed on display at the Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville.

The National Gingerbread House Competition awards ceremony takes place on November 14 at 5 PM and is open to the public at no admission charge. Following the four hour competition, the resort’s visual design team will spend the following days placing more than 325 entries in specially crafted holiday scenes.

Contestants from across the country bring their architectural masterpieces to The Grove Park Inn. Delight in the imagination shown in these sugar-and-spice creations, strolling through the competition is a sure way to be swept up in the holiday spirit.

There is no admission charge to view the entries to the National Gingerbread House Competition. In addition to the gingerbread overload, see the beautiful holiday displays throughout and warm by the giant fireplaces in the grand lobby. Pick up a map in the lobby to find the various areas where the entries are displayed.

For an extra treat, the "Stories of Gingerbread" guided tours are available November 18-January 1. Go behind the scenes and get details about the construction of the winning entries and the workings of the judging, competition and display itself. The hour-long tours are offered Wednesday- Sunday, 9 AM and 3 PM. Adults: $12, Children: 12 & under $6. Advance reservations are required. Call 1-800-438-5800.

Groups traveling by any vehicle that seats 15 or more passengers in size must make parking reservations prior to arrival. Please note that these groups must have dining or lodging reservations. For additional information please call 1-800-438-0050, ext. 1281.

The grand prize winning entry and selected other winners will be removed from the display during the third week of December as the resort transports them to New York City for its 13th straight appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Curious about entering? Download a PDF of the 2011 Entry Form.

Winners of the 19th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition 2011

Hundreds of entries from over 20 states were scrutinized by a panel of 11 elite judges, with winners from four categories selected on November 16, 2011.

“Each year The National Gingerbread House Competition becomes even more competitive with such a wide variety of gingerbread creativity. Our judges come prepared to select winners whose overall scores are often separated by only a few points,” said Ronald E. Morin. “This year we have contestants entering from as far away as South Florida, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. The determination shown by competitors to travel with their gingerbread creations hundreds of miles reflects a significant commitment to this competition.”

Entries were judged on overall appearance, originality/ creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme. Except for the base, the entries must be constructed entirely of edible materials. The National Gingerbread House Competition awards more than $12,000 in cash and prizes, with the grand prize winner receiving a $3,000 cash prize, a two night Club Floor stay at The Grove Park Inn, complimentary access to Grove Park’s world-renowned Spa facilities, and dinner and breakfast for two daily.

Winners in this year’s National Gingerbread House Competition are:
Grand Prize Winner: Ashley Howard – Winter Springs, Florida;

Adult (18 years and older):
Second Place: Heather Lewis – Austell, Georgia;
Third Place: Barbara Evans & Mary Jo Dowling – Edlestein, Illinois.

Teen (13-17 years old):
First Place: Carly Owens – Swannanoa, North Carolina;
Second Place: Julia Navin – Franklin, Tennessee;
Third Place: Laura Malanowski – Newton, North Carolina.

Youth (9-12 years old):
First Place: Lydia Gentry – Hendersonville, North Carolina;
Second Place: Carley Cantrell – Cookeville, Tennessee;
Third Place: Gabriella Arthur – Easley, South Carolina.

Child (5-8 years old):
First Place: Abby Adkins – Kodak, Tennessee;
Second Place: Kristen Dodd – Arden, North Carolina;
Third Place: Lydia Koenig – Mathews, North Carolina.

Farthest geographical distance traveled:
The Connerley Family (Jennifer, Kelsey, Mackenzie & Kaitlyn – Naples, FL

For more things to do during the holiday season, see our Top Asheville Holiday Outings and Events.