Gingerbread Lane |
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Gingerbread is a tradition at the Festival that's a delight to see (and smell!). We're proud to feature unique gingerbread displays that are priced and sold to the public. We have a special team of volunteers who design and create each display - individually, as a group or as a company (professional bakers welcome). If you like crafting in the kitchen, this is the perfect fit for you.
Your involvement helps bring the magic of the holiday season to the Saskatoon community. Because of the support of sponsors, designers, volunteers and visitors over $1.78 million has been donated to Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation since 2006.
Contact us if you have any questions. We're here to support you and to help make your experience as fabulous as your display!
Your involvement helps bring the magic of the holiday season to the Saskatoon community. Because of the support of sponsors, designers, volunteers and visitors over $1.78 million has been donated to Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation since 2006.
Contact us if you have any questions. We're here to support you and to help make your experience as fabulous as your display!
How It Works
We provide the following to all registered gingerbread designers:
- An 18" x 18" plywood base to all registered gingerbread designers (available for pick up October 3)
- Signage including the display name, designer name and sponsor name (if applicable). Professional entries will have their company logo included too.
- Tax receipt form for materials such as icing, candies, etc. (note original receipts must be submitted & forms are due December 1)
- Coupon for designer discounts
- Photo of your completed design
Categories
A limited number of gingerbread display entries are available in each category.
- Newcomer: 0 to 3 years of previous entries to Gingerbread Lane. If you're a new designer or had little experience in the past with building displays, then this is the category for you.
- Experienced: 4+ years of previous entries to Gingerbread Lane or if you're an experienced gingerbread builder, this is the right fit for you.
- Professional: Professional bakers and people who make a living from creating amazing desserts. We welcome professionals to show off their talents in this category.
Requirements
Gingerbread designers are required to provide:
Volunteers will be onsite to help guide you to your designated spot. Please note you may be asked to place your display on temporary tables.
We reserve the right to refuse any gingerbread display that does not meet the requirements or our quality standards. All displays should be appropriate for viewing by the general public. If you have any questions about an item you're considering using in your display, contact us to check in.
- Completed registration form (registration deadline October 15)
- All materials necessary to decorate your display (i.e. gingerbread, icing, fondant, candies, etc.)
- All tools necessary to create your display (i.e. baking pans, rollers, etc.)
- Lights and batteries (if using lighting on your display)
- Transportation and delivery of your display to the Western Development Museum on November 23
- The gingerbread display becomes our property and is sold during the Festival
Volunteers will be onsite to help guide you to your designated spot. Please note you may be asked to place your display on temporary tables.
We reserve the right to refuse any gingerbread display that does not meet the requirements or our quality standards. All displays should be appropriate for viewing by the general public. If you have any questions about an item you're considering using in your display, contact us to check in.
2023 Important Dates
October 3 | 7:00 pm: Gingerbread display board pick up at the Western Development Museum
October 15: Registration deadline
November 23 | 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm: Drop off completed gingerbread designs
November 24 - December 2: Festival of Trees + People's Choice voting for favourite displays
December 1: Tax receipt form & receipts deadline
December 8: People's Choice category winners announced
October 15: Registration deadline
November 23 | 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm: Drop off completed gingerbread designs
November 24 - December 2: Festival of Trees + People's Choice voting for favourite displays
December 1: Tax receipt form & receipts deadline
December 8: People's Choice category winners announced
Display Rules
The best and most popular gingerbread displays are visually appealing and follow a theme. These displays end up in people's homes or businesses, so keep that in mind as you develop your design. The gingerbread display rules are:
- All displays require a sturdy base (covered plywood works well)
- Maximum base size is 18" x 18"
- The Festival will provide an 18" x 18" plywood base to all registered gingerbread designers (available for pick up October 3)
- The display & decorations must be made of gingerbread or edible materials/products (except for the base and lighting)
- We urge you not to use interior support (but we won't hold you to that!)
- If using lighting, please put access to battery packs on the top of your display (do not attach to the bottom or leave dangling).
Tips & Tricks
- Give yourself plenty of time to decorate your display as it will take longer than you might expect
- Ensure your display will last during transport to the Festival, while on display and during transport to the buyer's home or business. We want all of your hard work to stay together and look as beautiful as when you dropped it off. Your creation will be on display for several weeks so should be made with materials accordingly.
- Make sure your icing, fondant, etc. is dry before dropping off your display so your decorations stay put
- Carts are available to help transport your display, so use one if needed
- Bring a friend to be your 'spotter' as you drop off your display to make sure no one bumps into your creation while you're moving it
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use glue, cardboard or other non-edible materials in my display?
How are gingerbread displays priced for sale?
What happens if my gingerbread display doesn't sell?
Can I find out who bought my gingerbread display?
What are the People's Choice Awards?
- While we recommend purchasers not eat any part of the display, only edible products/materials may be used in your gingerbread display
- The exception is lighting and the base which can be non-edible
How are gingerbread displays priced for sale?
- Sale prices in no way reflect the incredible number of hours designers spend on making their creations
- Experienced Festival committee members work together to decide how to price displays
- We price the displays to sell to the general public and to provide families with an opportunity to own a masterpiece gingerbread display at a reasonable price
- If you have information about your display that may help us price it, please provide it to the Committee Chair on the day of set up
What happens if my gingerbread display doesn't sell?
- This doesn't happen often, but if it does we will donate unsold gingerbread displays to other charities or health centres
Can I find out who bought my gingerbread display?
- Due to privacy issues we don't release the names of those who make purchases
What are the People's Choice Awards?
- Visitors are invited to vote online on our website for their favourite displays in categories such as trees, wreaths, centrepieces or gingerbread houses
- QR codes are posted on each display
- Votes can be cast once a day per person
- Winners of the People's Choice awards are announced on our website and social media