Licorice, gumdrops, M & Ms, and Starburst candy, slabs of gingerbread, and lots of white frosting. That is just the beginning of a yummy looking gingerbread house. Holiday visitors to Fernwood enjoyed an exhibit of creative and colorful gingerbread houses in the Fernwood Library through Dec. 22. The exhibit was the result of a gingerbread house contest in which 17 entries were received.

Many of the houses were submitted by students of Chef Tim Carrigan’s culinary arts class at Buchanan High School.

Dara Molica was the first place winner in the youth category with her blue house decorated with white frosting scrollwork, red licorice door, and peppermint candy chimney.

Ally Lea and McKenzie Smith placed second with their Halloween themed gingerbread house complete with candy corn roof, orange and black pumpkin gumball roof ridge, and spiders and webs drawn in frosting on the outside walls.

Third place in the youth catgegory went to the team of Aeriana Needham and Kali Wieczorkowski for their pink and green house topped with a colorful gummy Life Saver roof, green licorice garland, wreath and trees, as well as an inside Christmas tree made of green licorice. Youth category winners received gift cards to local businesses.

Krista Parin and son, Henry, won the family category with their creation of a homey traditional gingerbread cottage with windowboxes, dripping snow frosting, and a snowman. Their prize was the Jan Brett book, Gingerbread Friends.

Thank you to all who entered Fernwood’s first gingerbread house competition. The gingerbread house exhibit of all entries was a highlight of Fernwood’s holiday activities, which featured the ever popular Breakfast with Santa, afternoon visits with Santa Claus, storytelling, musical entertainment, children’s activities, cocoa bar, ice sculptures, the candlelight dinner, and Fernwood’s holiday train in the Fern Conservatory. Watch for details on entering the 2014 gingerbread contest.