From Staff Reports

The Omni Grove Park Inn, based in North Asheville, is “revolutionizing the National Gingerbread House Competition – the largest in the world! – for the 2020 holiday season to ensure that the competition’s legacy built on design, innovation and tradition continues safely for future generations,” the OGPI noted recently in a press release.

“The competition will continue virtually without a public display of gingerbread houses at the historic hotel due to restrictions surrounding COVID-19. 

“Considering this, the hotel is generating unique, engaging experiences in place of a physical display, including socially distanced alternatives for hotel guests and fans at home to view the gingerbread finalists.

“A renowned group of food, arts and media professionals – including Food Network star Carla Hall – will formally judge the gingerbread designs both virtually and in-person,” the release stated.

“It all began with a small group of gingerbread houses built by community members in 1992 as another way to celebrate the holiday season with no plans to continue the following year. There was no possible way to know that more than two decades later The Omni Grove Park Inn National Gingerbread House Competition would be one of the nation’s most celebrated and competitive holiday events,” the release added.

Entry to The 2020 National Gingerbread House Competition has closed.

From Dec. 1 to Dec. 12, one finalist will be announced per day, with the grand prize winner named on Dec. 12, National Ginger Bread House Day. To view the results, tune in via Facebook (@omnigroveparkinn) and Instagram (@omnigrovepark) — or visit www.omnihotels.com / gingerbread.