ASHEVILLE — For more than 30 years, a holiday tradition of creatively crafted confections has instilled joy into the Western North Carolina community. This year, the seasonal event of sugar and spice has been called off due to Tropical Storm Helene.
The Omni Grove Park Inn’s 32nd annual National Gingerbread House Competition is canceled. It had been scheduled for November.
As of Oct. 22, the hotel property at 290 Macon Ave. remains temporarily closed as storm recovery continues across Asheville and WNC.
“This was not a choice made lightly, as this cherished event holds a special place in our hearts and has become a beloved holiday tradition for many,” the hotel’s website read.
In July, enrollment opened to gingerbread artists aged five and up across the U.S. to submit their original edible creations to win a portion of the $40,000 pot of cash and prizes.
Although this year’s awards portion of the event will not happen, “gingerbreaders” are invited to submit their finished projects to be displayed at The Omni Grove Park Inn and local businesses.
“While the pieces will not be professionally judged, this will allow us to share the beauty and magic of our competitors’ work with the community—a community that deeply needs the hope and joy their artistry can bring,” the website stated.
The 12 Days of Gingerbread annual virtual display will return with gingerbread creations shared on the company’s Facebook (@omnigroveparkinn) and Instagram (@omnigrovepark) channels from Dec. 1-12.
The Omni Grove Park Inn’s reopening date hasn’t been announced but it is expected to open in time for the holiday season and be festively decorated.
Holiday parking program fees will be in effect from Dec. 1-31 with contributions donated to WNC nonprofit partners. Valet parking will be $40 and self-parking will be $30 for day and overnight guests.
Founded in 1992, the National Gingerbread House Competition a small group of community members formed the event that has grown in number and caliber of competitors with celebrity judges choosing various category winners.
In 2023, nearly 200 entries were submitted in the 31st annual National Gingerbread House Competition with Difficult Dessert Devotees teammates Faith An and Deborah Kinton, a niece and aunt from Fuquay-Varina, winning the $7,500 grand prize and awards package for their piece titled “Christmas at the Tongkonan,” a structure inspired by the traditional ancestral house, Tongkonan.
Enrollment for the 2025 National Gingerbread House Competition will open on July 25.
For more, visit omnihotels.com.
This is a developing story.
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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and covered the arts, entertainment and hospitality in Louisiana for several years. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Grove Park Inn cancels 2024 National Gingerbread House Competition
