Upper Canada Village will host its 3^nd annual Canadian Gingerbread House Championship at the Alight at Night Festival.  The Festival is a popular holiday lights extravaganza where the Village’s 40 heritage buildings are lit with over half a million colourful lights.  It’s the perfect stage to showcase the best-of-the-best in gingerbread house-building craftsmanship, this year introducing a new Culinary Arts category.  Plus there are awards of cash and getaway prizes in a variety of categories, made possible by returning sponsor Genivar, of Cornwall, Ontario.

DETAILS OF THE COMPETITION

• The contest is open to individuals, school teams, businesses and other culinary partners from across the region in Ontario, western Quebec and beyond; many of the 28 entries we received both our first and second year rivalled the professionally designed creations on display.  This year with the addition of the “Culinary Arts Category” even more spectacular entries are anticipated.
• A $1500 Grand Prize plus a two-night getaway including admission to Upper Canada Village and golf at the Upper Canada Golf Course will be awarded on Saturday, December 3.  Cash and travel getaway prizes will be awarded to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winners in three categories – Adult (18 years of age and over), Teen/Youth (17 years of age and under) and Culinary Arts (students and teachers involved in Culinary Arts programs).  Deadline to register is November 18, 2011.  Entry fees are $25 per gingerbread creation excluding entries in the Teen/Youth category.
• The new “Culinary Arts” Category is open to any students and/or teachers who are registered with an accredited culinary facility or are in a recognized culinary program.
• All gingerbread house entries will be showcased in the heart of the Village at the newly renovated Crysler Hall throughout the Alight at Night Festival.  This majestic, upper class 19^th century home has become one of the festival’s main attractions, with a show-stopping Sound & Light Show played out on the exterior of the historic building.
• Registration forms, guidelines and competition details are available on the website at AlightatNight.ca or by calling the Customer Service Unit at 613-543-4328 locally or 1-800-437-2233.

Upper Canada Village’s Alight at Night Festival draws well over 40,000 visitors a year who tour the site on foot, take horse-drawn wagon and romantic carriages rides, hop aboard a life-size Toy Train, enjoy festive dining, unique shopping and more each holiday season.  The Festival operates Thursday to Sunday December 2 to 18 (closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) and then is open nightly from December 19 to January 7 (closed December 24 and 25, 2011) from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Overnight packages are available with many local hotels and bed and breafkasts.  Overnight information and online ticket purchases are available at www.AlightatNight.ca.  Tickets can also be purchased at Cornwall & Seaway Valley Tourism (11 Water Street West) and at the Ontario Travel Information Centres in Cornwall (903 Brookdale Avenue) and Bainsville (westbound Highway 401) locations.