2026 Gingerbread House Competition "At The Movies"

Entry Registration & Drop Off

Tuesday, November 10, 6-8pm

Wednesday, November 11, 12-4pm                                                       

Saturday, November 14, 10-2pm

Location
Edward R. Driggers City of Greer Center for the Arts
804 Trade Street, Greer, SC 29651

Announcement of Winners
During the Greer Holiday Arts Fair on Saturday November 21st at 12pm at the Edward R. Driggers City of Greer Center for the Arts

Gingerbread Display - Public Viewing
November 21st – December 12th, 2026 during Gallery Hours

GENERAL GUIDELINES
The following rules and procedures have been set forth and established by The City of Greer for the purpose of The 2026 City of Greer Gingerbread House Competition. You are encouraged to submit your entry form ahead of time if possible. The City of Greer reserves the right to refuse any entry deemed inappropriate. For additional questions, please contact rbyouk@cityofgreersc.gov.

To be eligible for the competition, a completed Entry Form must be submitted with your entry before or during the designated drop- off window (see above Entry Registration & Drop Off). The competitor registered will receive all correspondence, notifications and updates regarding The City of Greer Gingerbread House Competition via email. If the individual entering is under 18 years of age by the date of the competition, consent from a parent or legal guardian is required in addition to disclosing the minor’s age.

ENTRY CATEGORIES
The following categories are available for entry into The 2026 City of Greer Gingerbread House Competition:
• Adult Category – Individuals age 16 and older.
• Youth Category - Individuals between 5 and 15 years of age.
• Family/Group – A group of any size, any combination of ages.

JUDGING AND CRITERIA
All entries will be judged on five criteria:
1) Overall Appearance
2) Originality and Creativity
3) Difficulty
4) Precision/Craftsmanship
5) Consistency of Theme

This Year’s Theme: MOVIES!
Let your imagination run wild! Create a gingerbread masterpiece inspired by your favorite movie, movie character, iconic scene, famous location, or cinematic moment. Your entry doesn’t have to be a traditional gingerbread house—any type of building, structure, scene, or creation is welcome, as long as it fits the movie theme.

Whether you recreate a famous movie mansion, a magical castle, a spaceship, a spooky scene, or something completely original inspired by the silver screen, we want to see your creativity!

Decorative elements that are handmade will carry more weight than similar prefabricated items.

All rulings by the judges are independent and final.

SIZE LIMITATIONS
Entry must be placed on a solid board base. Entries combined with a base must not be larger than 24 inches high, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches long. Weight is not to exceed 50 pounds.

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION
Everything above the base of your entry must be composed 100% of edible materials. The main structure of your entry must be constructed of at least 50% gingerbread or cookie, some of which should be exposed.

Edible materials are not limited to candies and icings. Use of gum paste, fondant, chocolate, modeling chocolate, royal icing, gelatin and pressed sugar is encouraged.

Any entry with non-edible components or using unapproved techniques will be automatically disqualified from placing in the competition. No artificial display materials, such as Styrofoam, interior lighting or other electronic components are to be used in the construction or decoration of the entry. Candies must be unwrapped and free of any non-edible materials, for example: lollipop sticks.

Entries must be solely constructed by the individual(s) entering the competition. Youth and Child competitors may be supervised, for safety precautions, by a parent, legal guardian, or classroom teacher. Example: assistance with operating a stovetop or oven.

DROP OFF & ENTRY REGISTRATION PROCESS

• UNLOAD YOUR ENTRY at the Office Entrance of the Center for the Arts at 804 Trade Street. A completed entry form must accompany your entry.

• A small number of carts will be made available at this location for transporting gingerbread entries and are not permitted to be removed from this area.

• Prior to judging, competitor entries are not to be handled by any City of Greer staff member. Please be certain that any designee(s) delivering an entry is capable of moving the piece without City of Greer staff assistance.

PLACING AND PRIZES
Prizes up to $200 will be awarded to the top three submissions in each non-professional category. The grand prize for the Professional category will include a trophy to display in their place of business until the following year's competition concludes. Additional awards may be added, depending on the number of entries.

Winners of prizes are required to fill out the appropriate tax forms prior to payment being issued. Prize checks will be made out to the individual winner and mailed to the address that is provided on the tax form.

POST-DISPLAY ENTRY PICKUP
For competitors that wish to keep their gingerbread entry after the competition display has ended; entries must be picked up on Tuesday, December 15th from 6-8 pm or Saturday, December 19th from 10-2pm. Entries remaining after the designated pickup window will be discarded after this time unless other arrangements are made with the Cultural Arts staff. If you need to make other arrangements, contact Robin Byouk at 864-848-5383 or rbyouk@cityofgreersc.gov. 

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, activity or public meeting of the City of Greer should contact
Keith Choate, ADA Coordinator, at 864-848-5386 as soon as possible, but no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled event.

1. I must deliver my completed entry to the Edward R. Driggers City of Greer Center for the Arts during the designated drop off window.

2. I acknowledge that my entry will be on display November 21st - December 14th during normal open hours at the Center for the Arts.

3. I must pick up my entry by the pickup deadline. Entries not picked up within the designated window will be discarded beginning the following day, unless other arrangements are made with City of Greer Staff.

4. I hereby grant permission to the City of Greer to print or otherwise duplicate the picture or likeness of my entry and/or myself with my entry for either internal or external release, this includes print and online publications, plus local and network television. I understand that the image of my entry becomes the property of the City of Greer. Permission is also granted to the City of Greer to transport my entry while understanding that at no time does the City of Greer guarantee the safety or security of my entry and cannot be held responsible for any damages incurred to my entry on or off City property. By participating, each competitor agrees to be bound by all Rules and Procedures herein, which may be amended from time to time. The City of Greer reserves the right to refuse entries that are deemed inappropriate for display in its facilities, to disqualify any competitor who fails to follow the Rules and Procedures contained herein and/or to disqualify any competitor who falsifies any entry form information.

5. I agree to HOLD HARMLESS, RELEASE, DEFEND, AND INDEMNIFY, THE CITY OF GREER, their employees, representatives, officers, directors, members, and partners (each a “RELEASED PARTY”) for ANY AND ALL LIABILITY and/or claims arising from injury to persons or damage to property arising from the incident, any RELEASED PARTY’S alleged or actual NEGLIGENCE OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF any express or implied WARRANTY, breach of contract, or breach of any statutory or other duty of care, or mistakes or errors in judgment of any kind. By signing this release, I agree that I am releasing any right to make a claim or file a lawsuit against The City of Greer. THE RELEASOR AGREES TO DEFEND AND INDEMNIFY each RELEASED PARTY for any and all claims and/or those of a third party arising from the incident.