Take a sweet walk in downtown Belleville to see this year’s Gingerbread contest winners
As the holiday season kicks off in downtown Belleville, one of the perks of checking out the awesome businesses along Main Street is getting to see the gingerbread houses displayed in the shops.
The judging for the 35th annual Gingerbread Contest took place at the Nichols Community Center at 515 E. D St. in Belleville on Nov. 24. The confectionary creations have since been distributed among downtown businesses for the Gingerbread Walk.
They will remain on display through the holidays.
Here are this year’s winners among 40 entries:
Children’s Category
Kindergarten through Fifth Grade
First Place - Aidyn Steinkamp, Moana Landscape
Second Place - Milana Scarbrough, My Favorite Treats
Third Place - Corinne O’Chiu, Cozy Bunny Hutch
Sixth through 12th Grade
First Place - Aurelia Scarbrough, Jack Skellington House
Second Place - Eva Landers, Kaida the Dragon
Third Place - Anne Pierre & Madelyn Watkins, Disney Castle
Children’s Group
First Place - Children from Faith Baptist Church in Freeburg, Our Town
Second Place - Girl Scout Troop 345, Christmas at the Drive-In
Third Place - Evelyn Schultz, Abby Watkins, Olivia Bow and Riley Wilson, The Night Before Christmas
Best of Show - Children’s Category
Lillian Skaer, Lillian’s Library
Award Winners
First-time Entrants
First Place - Robin Kendall, Santa’s Sleigh
Second Place - Debbie Heisler and the Depew Family, Christmas on the Farm
Third Place - The Voss Family, Pick a Pine Farm
Family & Friends Category
First Place - Constance Rogers & Vanda Loughary, A Christmas Tradition
Second Place - Robin Krueger, Welcome to Belleville
Third Place - The Wiggs Family, Fun Family Fisher’s Festivities
Holiday Books
First Place - Vanda Loughary, Waiting on Christmas
Second Place - Dawn Lenaghan, The 13 Days of Swiftness
Third Place - Emilie Schulte, Pete the Cat’s 12 Groovy Days of Christmas
Best of Show
Susan Rogers, Home Sweet Home (310 E. Washington St.)
Masters
First Place - Amanda Landers, Wild Blue Yonder
Second Place - Jennifer Morimoto, Nutso
Third Place - Beverly Cutler, The Greatest Christmas Gift
Mayor’s Choice Award
Susan Rogers, Home Sweet Home (310 E. Washington St.)
Legend Award
Jennifer Morimoto, Nutso
Hallmark Award
Susan Rogers, Home Sweet Home (310 E. Washington St.)
Conrad Auffenberg Award
The Voss Family, Pick a Pine Farm
SWIC Pick Award
Lillian Skaer, Lillian’s Library
About the Gingerbread Contest
The first Belleville Gingerbread Contest was held in 1990 and organized by the St. Clair County Historical Society and the Belleville Tourism committee. Cash prizes totaling $1,775 were awarded to 28 winners.
Today, the contest is organized by Belleville Parks & Recreation. More than $4,000 in cash prizes was awarded to the 2024 winners.
For more info about the contest and this year’s entries, visit facebook.com/BellevilleGingerbread.
