SWLA Gingerbread House tradition continues - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

SWLA Gingerbread House tradition continues

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By Lee Peck - bio | email

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The following is a news release from the SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau:

The annual Gingerbread House Contest winners were announced at noon on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau's Welcome Center, 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive. 

The contest, held in conjunction with the annual Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival, features awards in different categories including amateur, school groups, and professional bakers.  Southwest Louisiana's goodwill ambassador and mascot, Gumbeaux Gator was on hand to take pictures with the winners. 

This year, entries highlighted themes such as a teepee, castles, house boat, library, and even a Cajun house after a hurricane and etc.

In the Children's division, Ty' Leah Greymountain took first place and Shai Greymountain placed second.

In the Teen division, William and Matthew Foltz took first place.

In the Pre-School Division, Tina Harris's class from M.J. Kaufman Elementary took first, Lindsay Saucier's class from Brentwood Elementary placed second, and Rene Rowse's class from Brentwood Elementary captured third place honors.

In the Middle School Division, Jamie Robert's class from J.I. Watson Middle School captured the first place vote. Ray D. Molo Middle Magnet School Arts & FACS class placed second, and Asella Daigle's class from W.W. Lewis Middle School took third.

Taking home first place in the High School Division was College St. T&I Vocational Center.

THAT Class won first place in the Club/Organization Division, and W.T. Henning 4H Club took second.

First place in the Amateur Adult Division went to Family & Youth Counseling Agency—CASA. Melanie Pesson with the Calcasieu Parish Library took second place.

The Best of Show went to William and Matthew Foltz. Their entry was a rotating carousel complete with a candy rooftop filled with gumdrops, peppermints and decorative snowflakes. The creation features candy cane posts and elegant horses with gingerbread sleighs leading the way.

The winning gingerbread houses will remain on display at the bureau throughout the month of December. This month, residents and tourists visiting the Welcome Center may vote on the "People's Choice Award", or they can vote on the Visit Lake Charles Facebook page. Voting is open to all and you don't have to like the Facebook page to vote. The direct link to vote is http://woobox.com/udt5g5. The winners will be announced Thursday, Dec. 27, at 10 a.m. at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau.

We would like to give a special thanks to our sponsors for their contributions for prizes: 121 Artisan Bistro, A Piece of Cake, Café au Clay, Children's Museum, Children's Theatre Company, Club Tabby, Famous Foods, J&R Carriages, Skate City, Southern Spice, Steamboat Bill's, Superior Limo, Swashbucklers, Sweets and Treats, The Louisiana Market, and the USS Orleck Naval Museum.

For more information, contact the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau at (337) 436-9588 or visit www.visitlakecharles.org.