The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa Announces 17th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition

Aug. 12, 2009 - PRLog -- Do you have what it takes to earn gingerbread glory? The only way to find out is to get baking and enter the 17th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition taking place at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in scenic Asheville, N.C.

“This event has gained national recognition since The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa held the first competition back in 1993. We now receive hundreds of entries from across the country and it has blossomed into a true holiday tradition,” said Ronald E. Morin, Executive Director of Operations at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa.

Judging by a professional panel takes place across four categories: Adult (18 years and older), Teen (13-17 years old), Youth (9-12 years old) and Child (5-8 years old). Entries are 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 maximum size of gingerbread houses in the competition cannot exceed two feet wide, two feet long and two feet high.

The event takes over The Grove Park Inn Grand Ballroom. Contestants may deliver their gingerbread houses starting on Sunday, Nov. 15th, from 2 -8 p.m. and again on Monday, Nov. 16th, from 7-8:30 a.m. The judging begins on Nov. 16th, with the awards presented that day at 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

All of the entries in the National Gingerbread House Competition will be on display at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa from Nov. 18th to Jan. 3rd. The public is invited to view the displays any Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests at the resort and those dining at one of the award winning restaurants on the property may view the displays 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 more than $12,000 in cash and prizes. The grand prize winner receives a $3,000 cash prize, plus a two night Club Floor stay at The Grove Park Inn & Spa Resort, complete with dinner for two and breakfast daily at the historic hotel. All contestants will receive a personalized certificate.

“The judges have a very difficult time selecting a winner in each category because of the level of creativity that contestants bring to this event. Moreover, we have guests return to the Grove Park Inn year after year just to take part in the tradition of viewing these gingerbread houses during the holidays,” said Heather Brannan, Special Events Manager at The Grove Park Inn. “It’s truly one of my favorite times of year at the resort.”

For more information about The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, please visit www.groveparkinn.com.

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The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa is one of the South's most venerable and famous grand resorts. Built in 1913 from granite stones mined from Sunset Mountain, the resort overlooks the Asheville skyline and provides guests with majestic views of the legendary Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a monument of comfort and relaxation, offering 512 guest rooms and suites, a four-diamond restaurant and other fine dining establishments; a Donald Ross designed golf-course; a retail village comprised of four specialized boutiques; fitness facilities; and a spectacular, award-winning spa. The Grove Park Inn’s staff prides itself on true “Southern Hospitality” while enhancing the overall guest experience. The Grove Park Inn has received several honors, including Southern Living Magazine’s 2007 Readers Choice Award for Best Resort/Hotel and the “World’s Best Awards” poll taken by Travel + Leisure magazine ranked the Resort as one of the Top thirteen Spa Resorts in the world.