Mohonk Mountain House Hosts Second Annual Sweet Competition
Remember in elementary school when your teachers would make you save your milk cartons to use as bases to make gingerbread houses? Well, Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz has put its own twist on constructing gingerbread houses: they’ve turned it into a competition and done away with the milk cartons.
This year will be the mountain house’s second year holding the competition after last year’s success. “There were so many unique and creative entries,” says Emily McNamara, Marketing Manager at Mohonk Mountain House. “One creation was built on a lazy Susan so the viewers could rotate it 360 degrees; another had pumpkin tops used as the roof; and a few used melted sugar as ‘glass’ for windows.”
From the junior level to the adult level to the employee level, the creations wowed viewers. The number of entries has nearly doubled from 47 in 2016 to 85 this holiday season.
While it’s too late to submit your own gingerbread house idea (entry forms were due back in October — keep that in mind for next year!), Mohonk will open the competition up to the public for viewing and judging on Sunday, December 10th between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and awards will be given at 4 p.m. Awards will be provided by Mohonk Mountain House and will include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes for both the junior and adult categories.
Prizes for adult winners include a two-night stay for two adults at the mountain house for the first place winner; a one-night stay for two adults at Mohonk for the second place winner; and dinner for four at the mountain house for the third place winner. Winners of the junior category will be offered lunch or dinner and Recreation Access Passes at Mohonk for first place; lunch or dinner and access to hiking trails for four people for second place; and third place will win hiking passes and access to 18 holes of Disc Golf for four people along with four Disc Golf discs.
A new award will also be given for the 2017 competition called the Viewer’s Choice Award. Those browsing through the pieces will be able to participate by voting for their favorite creation in each category. The winner will be awarded dinner for four at Mohonk Mountain House.
The event is about more than just the competition, though. “The event is a kickoff to our Community Week in December where we offer complimentary entry to the Mountain House to members of our local community,” said McNamara. “It’s a great time to do some holiday shopping and enjoy the magical holiday decorations all around the Mountain House.”
Gingerbread houses will be on display for public viewing in the resort from December 10th through January 1st, 2018.
