It’s almost time for Habitat for Humanity Northumberland’s annual Gingerbread Festival! Entering it’s sixth year as a holiday tradition for Habitat Northumberland, this year’s festival has been reimagined to accommodate the ongoing COVID-19 challenges. In 2020, our homes have never meant more during this unprecedented time. So, Habitat Northumberland has taken the festival virtual, in hopes of bringing joy and positivity into homes across Northumberland County this holiday season.
Habitat Northumberland held the first local Gingerbread Festival in 2015. Since then, the festival has seen over 300 gingerbread creations from across Northumberland County. In the past, we have seen community organizations, schools, individuals and businesses enter their houses to be judged and the public has had the opportunity to win houses at the end of the campaign in a raffle. This year, due to COVID, there is no judging or raffling or displaying at the ReStore. But that doesn’t mean that there is no fun to be had!
“This year we really wanted to capture the most important part of the Gingerbread Festival, the gathering of the community to share in a common fun activity,” explains Executive Director Meaghan Macdonald, “even if it’s on a virtual platform. Especially this year, we want to encourage everyone to take some time to reflect on the importance of home. And then share your gingerbread “home” creation with all of us!”
To participate in this year’s festival, you can either purchase one of the 55 gingerbread kits that are available online via our ReStore or you can build your own. Kits are only $15.00 and can be picked up at the ReStore at 764 Division St. in Cobourg.
These will be on sale starting November 17th. Once you have your kit, you can decorate it and submit pictures or video of your creation to Aimee Tedford, Administrative and Communications Coordinator at Habitat Northumberland at info@habitatnorthumberland.ca by December 9th. As the pictures and videos of the gingerbread houses arrive, they will be shared on our social media platforms. All submissions will be compiled in a video and will be shared on our website & social media, just in time for the holiday season.
For more information about the 2020 Gingerbread Festival, please visit www.habitatnorthumberland.ca or call Aimee Tedford, Administrative and Communications Coordinator, at 289-252-0999 ext. 28.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
