CALL FOR ENTRIES!
Registration Deadline: December 8, 2025

FIRST-EVER GINGERBREAD SHOWCASE
COMPETITION AND EXHIBIT
DECEMBER 13 – 14, 2025

What better place to delight in the tradition of gingerbread houses (and gingerbread boats, trains and other creations) than at Fivesparks, in Harvard’s picture-postcard town center?

Enter to compete for prizes or enter simply to exhibit and share your passion!

Registration fee for competitive entries: $25.  No registration fee for non-competitive entries. See the Showcase Rules for all the important details.

The exhibit will be on display:

Saturday, December 13, from 10 am – 4 pm
    (Awards Reception 2 – 4pm)
Sunday, December 14, from 12 – 4 pm

Enter one of our three competitive categories to win a prize from one of our top-notch sponsors. Or enter our non-competitive category, where the rules are just a bit looser, and kids under 13 can submit their creations.

Either way, we want to show off your passion for baking and building and decorating.  We’ll display all entries – whether competing for a prize or not!

Meet Our Judges…

Elizabeth Hoorneman, Teacher and Artist
Elizabeth Hoorneman is a teacher and artist and has been on the faculty of the Bromfield School for 13 years. She instructs students in studio art and clay at the high school level. Elizabeth enjoys participating in community initiatives such as the Bloom’N Art Project. She is known for her dedication, humor, and ability to inspire, creating a classroom environment that fosters creativity and imagination.

 

Riaan Kotze, Architect
Riaan Kotze is an architect at Maugel DeStefano Architects, where he specializes in multifamily residential architecture. He is dedicated to creating spaces that are both functional and meaningful, drawing inspiration from art, music, spirituality, and the shared human experience. Riaan believes that architecture is not fundamentally about buildings, but about people.

 

Taryn O’Connor, Baker
Taryn O’Connor is a culinary professional with a strong foundation in baking and pastry arts. She refined her expertise as a Sous Pastry Chef at Bisousweet Confections and at Twist Bakery, a gluten-free scratch bakery. Beyond the bakery, Taryn brings her commitment to supporting those with special dietary needs to her work as a personal chef focusing on nutritional care for the elderly.

 

Kaitlin Segars, Baker
Kaitlin Segars is the owner of Harvard Sweet Boutique. She purchased the business at the age of 24 after managing it for several years under its founder, Sue George. A graduate and valedictorian of the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, Kaitlin’s true passion lies in crafting unforgettable desserts that are as stunning as they are delicious — especially custom cakes and artistic confections that help bring her clients’ sweetest moments to life.

PRIZES!

provided by our outstanding sponsors:

Don’t miss out on these prizes!   A first-place prize will be awarded in each competitive category.  

  • Individual / Adult: $200 gift card from Kitchen Outfitters, in Acton

  • Individual / Teen:  Two 2 ½-hour art glass classes from Periwinkle Art & Glassworks, in Groton  

  • Team:  3-hour chef-led cooking & dining event for eight from Third Space Kitchen, in Groton