The Grayland Players are adding a sweet new ingredient to their annual holiday events next weekend: Along with a comedy production and the Community Christmas Show at Grayland Community Hall, a gingerbread house contest will be held.
“I was thinking of themes for this year’s evening show, and I came up with gingerbread houses and elves. From there, the idea for the competition just kind of popped into my head,” said Carolyn Barker, director of the community hall.
Entries will be accepted Friday through Sunday, Dec. 8-10, with winners to be announced at the community event on Sunday evening. There is no entry fee, but cash awards will be given in three divisions: Child (ages 6-10), $50; Youth (ages 11-15), $50; and Adult (16 and older), $100. The prize money is being provided by Cranberry Heritage, the community hall’s fundraising arm, which also sponsors the three-day series of holiday events.
The three winning gingerbread houses will be placed in the silent auction on Sunday. The rest will be sold via live auction, with the bidding to begin at $5 each.
What’s to become of any that don’t sell? “If the owner is in the house and they want to throw us a donation, they can take it home,” said Barker; otherwise, it will be donated to the local food bank.
Contest entry forms are available through GraylandCommunityHall.org or at the Westport-Grayland Chamber of Commerce, 2985 S. Montesano St. in Westport.
Also on tap next weekend is the Grayland Players’ stage production of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” based on the 1971 book by Barbara Robinson. It’s a comedy about six rowdy siblings who put their own spin on the traditional Christmas story during their church’s pageant.
The play, directed by the Grayland Players’ Katy Bingham, will start at 7:30 Friday and Saturday evenings, with a matinee on Sunday at 2 p.m.
“Elves on Parade” is the theme of the fifth annual Community Christmas Show, which will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday at the community hall. Festivities will include singing, dancers, piano solos and holiday monologues; a visit from Santa; the gingerbread house awards and sale; and a silent auction.
Major items donated for silent auction include an overnight stay at the Westport Inn, a canoe paddle trip up North River with local guides, and a ride with a professional rally driver during the Olympus Rally this coming spring.
All proceeds will go toward the community hall, which is undergoing an electrical system upgrade.
For more, call Barker at 360-267-6532.
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“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Grayland Community Hall, 2071 Cranberry Road
Admission: $12 for adults, $6 for students under 14
Community Christmas Show
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Grayland Community Hall, 2071 Cranberry Road
Admission: Free (but donations are appreciated)
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Rules for Gingerbread House Competition
Entries may be dropped off at Grayland Community Hall only at these specific times: 6:30 p.m. Friday; 6:30 p.m. Saturday; or between 4 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
The entire display must be made of edible materials, except for the base.
Base size: Minimum 6 by 6 inches; maximum 24 by 24 inches.
Maximum height: 5 feet.
All entries are relinquished to the competition committee as donations to benefit either Grayland Community Hall or the local food bank.
