If you see a boy and a girl wandering around Biloela looking bewildered, it’s just Hansel and Gretel being totally overwhelmed by the choice of delicious-looking gingerbread houses this year!
Okay, Hansel and Gretel may be fictitious, but these gingerbread houses are definitely real and definitely sweet!
The entries in the 2021 Gingerbread House Competition are kits assembled and decorated by local businesses, with many adding their own special touches to reflect what their business does.
The competition, now in its fourth year, is a fundraiser for Biloela’s annual Carols By Candlelight and gives local businesses the chance to get into the festive spirit and show some flair for design.
Carols By Candlelight coordinator Kylie Wills said she always tells people to have fun creating their masterpiece and this year she’s been blown away by the creativity on display.
“I get so excited by this,” Kylie said. “It’s just so much fun.”
Fifty-four businesses purchased kits this year and with many of the entries finished, it’s now time to start choosing your favourite!
There is a coin-drop voting station at Biloela Shoppingworld which has photos of the completed gingerbread houses each with their own voting box. Drop in some notes or coins for your favourite or visit the participating businesses to see their handiwork on display and vote with your money there. The gingerbread house receiving the most money will win the People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at Carols By Candlelight this Sunday, December 5.
All the money raised from the kits and the votes goes toward the cost of running the popular Carols event.
These glorious constructions will be part of the Gingerbread Village on display at Carols, which will be held at Banksia Place, Redeemer Lutheran College, with gates opening at 6pm.
If you want a preview of all this gingery creativity, check out the image gallery here. From Ampol’s fondant petrol pumps to the cute medicine glass Christmas trees in Biloela Medical Centre Pharmacy’s entry, from Sweet Slice of Nice’s house that’s as pretty as a picture, to CQ Rural Health’s Santa’s Workshop that makes sure the jolly big man and his elves practise self-care with tips on their Nice List, there are so many wonderful, thoughtful and clever touches to appreciate.
Good luck to all the participants and let’s see who takes out third, second and third place on Sunday night. (You’re all winners to the Biloela Beacon!)
