MIDDLEBURY — The Vermont Folklife Center in Middlebury has announced the winners of its 17th annual gingerbread house competition, held in December. Staff report that well over a thousand visitors came to see the display.
This year’s (optional) theme was “Folklore: Emoji, Rainbow Unicorns and Lolcats,” which celebrated contemporary, electronic creativity by bringing it off screens and into the real world — as gingerbread.
The winners are as follows:
Children: “A Sushi Feast for the Holidays!” by Nora Wootten and Ireland Young.
Families 11 and younger: “Santa’s Piano” by Maddie Crowne and Mary Douglas.
Families 12 and older: “North Pole Express” by Sue and Darcy Staats.
Organizations: “Saint Selena Marie Cathedral” by Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
Adults: “Attack of the Zemojies”  by  Tawnya Kiernan
Best of theme: “Attack of the Zemojies” by Tawnya Kiernan
People’s choice: “Saint Selena Marie Cathedral” by Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.
For information on how to register for next year’s competition send an email request to info@vermontfolklifecenter.org with the word “gingerbread” in the message line.