Gingerbread houses on display in Morristown
Feast your eyes on a kingdom made of candy canes, chocolate, and gumdrops in Morris County this holiday season.
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown presents the 23rd annual Gingerbread Wonderland and Craft Show through Sunday, Dec. 14.
The event initially began as a small display of gingerbread houses, and has grown into a 10-day exhibit of hundreds of edible structures created by local residents.
“Gingerbread Wonderland has become a Morris County holiday tradition,” said Lesley Parness, superintendent of horticultural education for the Morris County Park Commission.
The hours to view Gingerbread Wonderland are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or until 7:30 p.m. on Fridays. There is a $2 admission per person that supports the Horticultural Educational Department. Children under 2 are admitted free. Groups of ten or more must make reservations. Strollers are not permitted in the exhibit hall.
Visitors will be captivated by the plethora of brilliant edible creations on display.
“More than 15,000 visitors attend this charming event annually,” Parness said. “Guests of all ages marvel at the creative works of art, and enjoy the sweet smell of ginger and sugar while perusing more than 200 creations.”
Each year, the gingerbread houses feature a variety of scenes including Santa’s Workshop, Hanukkah menorahs, Chinese pagodas, a grand piano, and the White House.
“We are grateful to so many people for helping with the show, such as the many entrants who spend hours working on their exhibits,” she said. “Their willingness to share family memories and their personal points of view is what makes the show interesting.” The success of the show is also a result of the hard work of countless volunteers, Parness said.
“They help keep order in the room and prevent the exhibits from being eaten by hungry youngsters,” she said.
Gingerbread Wonderland also includes an opportunity for local residents to catch up on their holiday shopping. In its fifth year, the Holiday Craft Show offers a variety of unique items and gifts that were handmade by local crafters.
The Holiday Craft Show is open on weekends during Gingerbread Wonderland: Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Different crafters will be featured each weekend.
“Our crafters come from right here in New Jersey, and their prices make shopping fun for the whole family,” Parness said.
This year, UPS and their Diversity Leadership Team will fund the annual People’s Choice Award to recognize visitors’ favorite Gingerbread Wonderland creation.
“This is one of my favorite events because visitors are always in awe of the creativity, artistry, and passion displayed in each edible work of art,” she said.
GINGERBREAD WONDERLAND
WHEN: Through Dec. 14
WHERE: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Ave., Morristown
COST: $2 per person; children under 2 admitted free
INFORMATION: Call 973-326-7601 or visit
www.morrisparks.net