For the past 25 years, the Omni Grove Park Inn has hosted their annual National Gingerbread House Competition. Contestants from across the country summit gingerbread houses to be judged, and in the hopes to be displayed in the Inn. This year marks 26th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition™ which will be held on Monday, November 19, 2018. After creations are judged, the winning houses will be on display Sunday, November 25, 2018- Friday, January 4th, 2019.
The annual contest began in 1992 when community members were teaching for another way to celebrate the winter season. They had no plans to continue the tradition the following year, as it was intended to be a one-time event. However, the trend did continue, and decades later it has expanded to be one of the most celebrated gingerbread house competitions in the country. In recent years, the competition has been televised across the United States.
The Omni Grove Park Inn is located in Asheville, North Carolina. It is honestly my favorite winter spot to visit. The Inn has a luxurious spa, a golf course, and remarkable restaurants. If you're in the area, there is a one-time parking payment of $20. To see the actual ginger house displays is free. However, there is plenty of other things to do.
As you enter the Inn, you feel as if you have entered Santa's own workshop. Between the Christmas lights, decorations, and music, it's as if you are in another world. There is a life-size gingerbread house where you can purchase hot chocolate in a souvenir cup. It's topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, caramel, and chocolate. What's better than that?
Now, I understand you're probably already impressed. Believe it or not, we haven't gotten to the best part yet. The tradition of the Gingerbread House Competition hasn't survived decades without a reason. These houses continue to improve and impress. Here are my personal three favorites from last year's collection:
As you can see, the attention to detail in these houses are absolutely incredible. Growing up making gingerbread houses as a child, I never imagined people would be able to transform cookies and icing into such diverse and unique displays. If you're looking for the perfect spot to get yourself into the holiday spirit, you have to check out this location. I've never been anywhere like it before. After my first year visiting, I knew Omni Grove Park Inn would become an annual stop for me.
