Holiday traditions have to begin somewhere and if Valerie Marie Lessard and Carrie Sjostrom have their way, a new yearly event will stand the test of time.
They want people to get involved in a Gingerbread House Competition they are organizing.
“It’s something we want to start as a tradition and support the least fortunate in the community,” said Lessard, the food and beverage managing partner at the Mix at Rik’s in the Prestige Oceanfront Resort. “The best way of supporting the community is raising money by being creative and involving the community.”
The idea is for folks in to make and decorate a gingerbread house and bring it to the hotel for judging between Dec. 1 and 14.
The gingerbread creations will be on display in the lobby of the hotel and people can come in and vote for their favourite. Anyone can register for the event and all of the money gathered will go to charity. Lessard is hoping for at least 20 gingerbread houses. There will also be a silent auction where people can bid on a house and take it home on Dec. 15.
“It’s going to look quite festive,” said Lessard. “The Festival of Trees will be here as well.”
The main reason for holding the Gingerbread House Competition is to raise money for the Sooke Food Bank.