2024 Gingerbread Registration

2024 Gingerbread Registration

by | Aug 29, 2024 | Uncategorized

2024 Gingerbread House Contest Rules

Click here to download a pdf copy of the Rules
  • Maximum base size is 15” by 15”. You may NOT attach multiple bases together.
  • Entries larger than 15” by 15” will not be accepted.
  • Edible materials ONLY! This includes the “glue” that holds pieces together and support on the inside! Exception: you can include plug-in string lights or fairy lights, but no batteries!
  • Sturdy base required! Your house will be picked up and moved multiple times during gallery set-up.
  • By entering the contest, entrants authorize Portsmouth Historical Society to use their images and images of completed work in promotional materials.

Important Dates

Thursday, November 21 Registration deadline

Saturday, November 23, 11am – 5pm

Sunday, November 24, 11am – 5pm

 House Drop-off: All houses must be dropped off at 10 Middle Street during these days and times.
Friday, November 29 Exhibition opens to the public! We will be open 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and until 7:00 pm every Friday in December.
Friday, December 6, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Opening Reception, presentation of Community Judges’ award ribbons
Monday, December 30 Exhibition Last Day

Entry Categories

Participants are required to submit entries under one of these categories. Note: If youth and teens are working together without an adult, please choose the Teen category.

  • Business/Non-Profit/Organization
  • Adult(s) (Age 18 and older)
  • Multi-Generational (Adults and youths or teens working together)
  • Teen or Teen Group (Age 13–17, working without an adult)
  • Youth or Youth Group (Age 12 and under working without an adult)

Notes

  • Entrants will be asked to give their entry a title on drop-off.
  • Gingerbread kits are allowed, provided they use only edible materials.
  • Plug-in string lights allowed. Battery-operated lights strongly discouraged as the batteries die quickly.
  • Your entry doesn’t have to be a “house.” We’ve seen boats, cars, books, barns, trees, etc. Anything goes as long as it’s made of edible materials!
Young Artist Contest Submission Form

Young Artist Contest Submission Form

by | Apr 5, 2024 | Uncategorized

Young Artists Contest


Downtown Scavenger Hunt 2023

Downtown Scavenger Hunt 2023

by | Nov 2, 2023 | Uncategorized

Download a Stamp Sheet
Aster House

142 Fleet Street

19 Market Street

123 Congress Street

Celtic Crossing

49 Pleasant St

Celtic Crossing

13 Market Street

Celtic Crossing

89 Market Street

8 Congress Street

Richardson's Market

148 State Street

River Run Bookstore

32 Daniel Street

51 Ceres Street

100 Market Street

Celtic Crossing

112 Congress Street

40 Bridge Street

Flatbread Co

138 Congress Street

29 Congress Street

41 Market Street

NH Made

22 Deer Street
Suite 100

175 Market Street

Ten Thousand Villages

15 Vaughan Mall

2 Market Square

Thank You to our Sweet Sponsors!

Downtown Scavenger Hunt 2023

General Registration

by | Oct 4, 2023 | Uncategorized

33rd Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition in-gallery display registration

Contest Rules

  • Maximum base size is 15” by 15”. You may NOT attach multiple bases together.
  • Entries larger than 15” by 15” will not be accepted.
  • Edible materials ONLY! This includes the “glue” that holds pieces together and support on the inside! Exception: you can include string lights or fairy lights, but they MUST be plug-in. No batteries!
  • Base must be sturdy! Your house will be picked up and moved multiple times during gallery set-up.
  • Entrants will be asked to give their entry a title on drop-off.
  • By entering the contest, entrants authorize Portsmouth Historical Society to use their images and images of completed work in promotional materials.
  • Houses must be dropped off at the Portsmouth Historical Society (10 Middle Street, Portsmouth, NH) during the following times:
    • Saturday, November 18, between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
    • Sunday, November 19, between 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm
    • Monday, November 20, between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm
Downtown Scavenger Hunt 2023

33rd Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibition: Downtown Retailer Sign-up

by | Sep 19, 2023 | Uncategorized

For the fourth year, we are inviting downtown retailers to join us in celebrating the season!

If you have a storefront window and would like to host a gingerbread house, read on to apply.

Are you a business without a storefront in the immediate Market Square area? You can submit a house in the “Business/Organization” category of general registration. Click here!

A gingerbread house in a storefront window

Retail Partner Requirements:

  • Retailers must be within walking distance of Market Square.
  • Retailers must have a prominent storefront window space large enough to accommodate a 15″x15″ gingerbread creation.
  • Retailers must keep the gingerbread creation and accompanying label on display between Nov. 24 and Dec. 23.
  • Retailers must agree to stamp/initial scavenger hunt “maps” of participants.

How It Works:

  • We will include a maximum of 20 retail partners.
  • Scavenger hunt participants will have to collect stamps/initials from 80% of retail partners (if we have 20 partners, they will have to collect 16 of 20).
  • Each creation will have a small label with a QR code linking to an information page on the PHS website.
  • PHS will provide stamps and a few maps to retailers; maps will also be available at PHS and for download on our website.
  • Completed forms will be returned to PHS for entry into a raffle made up of gift cards and merchandise donated by participating retail partners and the Museum Shop.
A gingerbread house in a storefront window

Portsmouth Historical Society agrees to:

  • Inform the retail partners if they will be receiving a house by October 27
  • Deliver a gingerbread house (unless retailer agrees to provide their own) on Wednesday, November 22.
  • If a retail partner is providing their own house, it is subject to the same rules as all registrants, namely that all materials must be edible (with the exception of string lights), and the base must be no larger than 15” x 15”.
  • Provide a limited number of scavenger hunt maps for the business to distribute to their customers.
  • Provide stamps to mark participants’ scavenger hunt “maps.”
  • List the business name and website on our scavenger hunt map and on the PHS website and on our social media accounts.

The applicant understands that completing this agreement does not guarantee participation, as Portsmouth Historical Society does not yet know the final number of houses we will have to distribute.