Hundreds of visitors crowded into Harmony Hall on Saturday, December 2nd, to view Dracut Rotary Club’s Annual Gingerbread House Competition creations and celebrate the holiday season. The visitors were treated to festive decorations, holiday music, yummy holiday treats and a visit from Santa. Children decorated gingerbread cookies and adults took chances on the gingerbread entries that they would like to add to their family decorations. Visitors said it was a great way to celebrate the holidays with their children and Club members called it a huge success.

The entries were divided into four categories; Professionals, Adult Amateurs, Young Adults [ages 13 to 19 years of age], and Children [up to age 12 years]. Visitors purchased tickets and took a chance on the creations of their choice with all proceeds going to the Dracut Food Pantry. Everyone in attendance also got a chance to vote for the entries they thought should be chosen as the winner in each category.

Winner of the Club Member Category – Frank and Rachel Antifonario

Club members got into the act donating gingerbread entries of their own creation as well. One of the highlights of this year’s competition was the donation of the winning Club Members entry to the Salvation Army Radiothon on WCAP. The house created by Frank and Rachel Antifonario won that distinction and was raffled off at the Radiothon.

Adding to the festive spirit of the day was music provided by a string trio, with members of the Dracut National Junior Honor Society. Violinist Rosalie Pineda, cellist Maddie Archambault and violist Rachel McIntosh treated visitors to a holiday serenade. The town’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at the adjacent school complex capped off the day of celebration. All agreed that the annual event was a great way to usher in the holiday season in Dracut.  

Winner of the Professional Category – Collette Turgeon

Winner of the Adult Amateur Category – Val Gauthier

Winners of the Young Adult Category – Elly McKenna and Lauren Masse

Winner of the Children Category – Bergeron Family