The Artists’ Exchange held its 17th annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest this past Saturday. Registration was live for both in person and take-home kits. There were 100 houses done at the Artists’ Exchange and another hundred that were take home.

Participants started with a simple graham cracker construction and craft it into a work of art. There were heaping supplies of frosting, cereal, pretzels and, of course, an array of colorful candy to decorate your dream candy home. And with no age limit, everyone is invited to join in on the fun!

Last year’s take home gingerbread craft kits were such a huge hit, so they brought it back this year. This year participants will have the option to compete in person or bring the contest to the comfort of their own homes. They will be announcing the winner this week on their Facebook page.

Their team of judges, consisting of local artists and art teachers, rated all the houses based on creativity, attention to detail, imagination and most of all, thinking “outside the house!

 Also included in the weekend’s festivities there were outdoor holiday photo ops, pre-decorated wreaths and wreath decorating kits as well as take home art survival kits for sale. Be sure to share your memories with Artists’ Exchange on Facebook and Instagram, follow them to stay up to date on all the great events and activities happening. (Herald photos by Steve Popiel)