The 2022 Gingerbread House Decorating Contest

Festive crowds flocked to Niwot Wheel Works at 3 p.m. sharp Dec. 3 to deliver gingerbread house creations that were part of this year's gingerbread house decorating competition.

This year, 50 houses were picked up from Saturday's Niwot Christmas Market at the Left Hand Grange to be decorated. Approximately 30 of the entries were returned, the plain houses made beautiful by icing, candy and creativity. They will be judged by baker Joan Grunzweig, owner of local business Joan's Petite Sweets and past winner of the National Good Housekeeping Gingerbread House Decorating Contest.

The contest was sponsored by Deborah Fowler of DRF Real Estate who was present for the event. In addition, Amy Klein, who is the Ambassador for Northern Colorado Cake4Kids, checked in the winners and assigned a number to each. Her organization will receive the proceeds from the suggested entry donation of $50 per house.

The nonprofit's mission is to provide free cakes for at-risk and underserved youth in foster care, group homes, and homeless shelters, and those youth who are victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, substance abuse or are refugees. Speaking at the event, Klein said, "Cake4Kids is so grateful for Joan's Petite Sweets and DRF Realty for making this an annual tradition for Cake4Kids."

Lauren Parker, a 13 year old who attends Shining Mountain Waldorf School, decorated a house for the contest. She said she wanted to do it because it seemed fun. "I also wanted to help the kids who were part of Cakes4Kids. We donated so we could be in the contest and I'm glad." Parker said it was fun working together with her sister. "It was pretty easy to get everything like I wanted to," she said.

More than 100 people were present for the judging, which was conducted in three age groups: 11 and under, 12-18 and adult. Each category awarded prizes for best holiday theme and best use of candy. In addition, the contest awarded a best-in-show which, this year, went to young decorator Clara Awsumb, who competed in the 12-and-under category for her beautiful house decorated with a white base and red accents, including adorable mushrooms. She stood proudly on stage with Fowler and Klein to receive her award.