Those who love holiday traditions will take ‘sweet’ comfort at this year’s 30th Annual Gingerbread House Contest, hosted by Portsmouth Historical Society on the NH Heritage Museum Trail. “We are thrilled to keep our show free to enter and view, making it accessible to everyone,” said Kait Smith, Chair of the Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition.
This year, houses will be placed throughout both floors of Portsmouth Historical Society to ensure social distance between visitors. “We are also taking it to the streets this year and will have houses displayed in store windows throughout downtown,” said Meredith Affleck, Manager, Exhibitions & Programming. “Folks will be able to take a checklist around to the various retailers and have it stamped.”
Upon returning, she said people can turn the stamped list in at Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center to enter a raffle for a $100 gift card to Cure and a $100 gift card to Roundabout Diner.
According to Smith, this year’s contest has taken on special significance. “While the world certainly looks a little different this year, it was so important to all of us on the Gingerbread House Exhibit committee to ensure that this event takes place,” she said.
According to Jeff Barraclough, president of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, many member institutions have founds creative ways to celebrate the holidays. “We have events for all ages and interests,” he said. “We hope people from all over check out what’s happening on The Trail this holiday season and support New Hampshire’s heritage.”
To learn more about the 30th Annual Gingerbread House Contest, or to enter a house (registration ends November 9), visit portsmouthhistory.org/gingerbread.
Formed in 2014 as a way to share resources and better promote their respective collections, programs and events, The NH Heritage Museum Trail is divided into the Seacoast, Merrimack Valley and Lakes Regions. 18 member institutions are located in Canterbury, Concord, Dover, Exeter, Laconia, Manchester, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Tamworth and Wolfeboro.
*Photo credit to Raya on Assignment