Gingerbread House Contest Offers Sweet Competition At OL Library

OAK LAWN, IL – Does eating a house made of gingerbread and sugar plums appeal to you? The Oak Lawn Public Library announces its very first gingerbread house competition open to all ages, beginning on Monday, Dec. 4.

What better way is there to get into the spirit of the season than by decorating a gingerbread house? The Oak Lawn library is excited to host a battle of sweet creations from all over the neighborhood, whether they’re built as a team by families, or solo masterpieces. It’s a delicious competition for fun prizes.

Beginning Monday, Dec. 4, entries can be submitted into three categories—Youth, Teen, and Adult—and should have a footprint no larger than 18 by 18 inches. Families with children should bring their entries to the Youth Services desk; Adult & Teen competitors can drop their houses off at the Adult/Young Adult Services Desk. There is a limit of one entry per category, and entries must be submitted by Monday, Dec. 11.

Every submission will receive a coupon for two free delicious cupcakes at Simply Sweet Creations Bakery in Oak Lawn, while supplies last. The boutique bakery offers nut-free treats.

Patrons will have the following week to take in the holiday magic of each and every house, and vote on their favorite in each category before winners are revealed on Tuesday, Dec. 19. The top three families in the youth category will take home a super-cuddly, 12-inch Squishmallow, and winning teens and adults will receive a gift card. Serious bragging rights are at stake for everyone. Chef Adriana from Simply Sweet Creations will also award a Chef’s Choice prize for the Teen and Adult categories.

Throughout the month of December, the library is hosting a whole slate of gingerbread programs, including:

• Thursday, Dec. 7, 4:30 p.m. – Kids ages 5-7 are invited to play “Can You Catch The Gingerbread Man?,” a code-cracking group activities.
• Adults and teens can register online to pick up a take-and-make kit of ginger spices and recipes to whip up your own festive treats at home, supplied by Oak Lawn’s Royal Family Roasters starting Monday, Dec. 4. Each kit comes with a free Simply Sweet Creations cupcake coupon.

So light up the library with peppermints, sprinkles and gumdrops. For more information, contact the youth services or adult/young adult services departments at 708-422-4990.