OXFORD, Miss. – In what is becoming an Oxford holiday tradition, the Gingerbread House Village will be on display Dec. 5-20 in the studio theatre of the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.
“This is our third year displaying the village, and the confectionary creations keep getting bigger and better each holiday season,” said Kate Meacham, assistant director of marketing for the Ford Center.
The Gingerbread Village will open at 10 a.m. Mondays through Fridays. The display closes at various times, but generally runs through 4:30 p.m., with extended and weekend hours during special programs. While admission to the village is free, visitors are encouraged to bring canned goods to be distributed to The Pantry and the Ole Miss Food Bank.
“For three years, the Ford Center has been helping address the hunger situation in Lafayette County,” Meacham said. “Last year, we were able to distribute several boxes of food and groceries, and we hope to be able to provide twice as much this holiday season.”
What’s more, a Friends of the Ford Center reception is set for 6 p.m. Dec. 9, during which carolers from the university’s Department of Music will perform. Jolly old Saint Nick will visit the village from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 15, and everyone is encouraged to bring cameras for pictures with him. On Dec. 18, a special story-time hour for children (preschool to toddlers) will begin at 10:30 a.m., and a story time for elementary school students is slated for noon Dec. 19.
Only two guidelines were given for professionals and nonprofessionals interested in entering a gingerbread house to be on display: Houses can be no larger than 3 square feet, and submissions cannot be made from a kit.
Last year’s submissions included a gingerbread likeness of Dr. Seuss’ “Whoville” and a true-to-life, cookie-and-candy version of the Grove’s “Walk of Champions,” designed by freshmen in EDHE 105, Section 23.
The Gingerbread House Village display will close at 2 p.m. Dec. 20.