Canadian beauty at the gingerbread showcase
Celebrating Canada is the theme for the 9th annual Habitat for Humanity Gingerbread Showcase, which starts Saturday and runs until Jan. 2.
The sugar-infused tradition brings together professional and amateur bakers from across Vancouver Island to craft the perfect gingerbread sculpture.
Twenty-six sculptures will be on display. The works are on a 61-by-61-centimetre base and must be a minimum of 45-cm high. All materials used in the display have to be edible, with backgrounds, lights and mirrors prohibited. Although the entries have to be edible, they are not judged on how they taste.
Judges rate the entries based on interpretation of the theme, skill and technique, creativity, proportion, refinement and artistic merit.
The event, hosted this year by the Parkside Hotel, is a fundraiser for the Victoria chapter of Habitat for Humanity. You can view the collection for free, but visitors are also encouraged to vote for their favourites, with a donation.
Last year, the event raised more than $50,000, which went toward building safe, affordable homes for local families in need.
Some competitors take the competition very seriously, starting work on their creations months in advance.
The creation that receives the most public votes will receive the People’s Choice Award.
View the gingerbread neighbourhood 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Nov. 18 to Jan 2, 2018 at the Parkside Hotel and Spa, 810 Humbolt St.
For information, go to parksidevictoria.com. For details on Habitat for Humanity, go to habitatvictoria.com.