The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa Announces Winners of the 18th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition™

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of entries from 20 states were scrutinized by a panel of 12 elite judges, with winners in four categories emerging in the 18th Annual National Gingerbread House Competition™ at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. Winners in the 2010 National Gingerbread House Competition™ are:

Grand Prize Winner: Heather Lewis, Austell, Georgia

Adult (18 years and older): First Place, Angel Adkins, Kodak, Tennessee;

Second Place, Barbara Evans, Edelstein, Illinois; and Third Place, Linda Carney, Asheville N.C.

Teen (13-17 years old): First Place, Skyla Delerme, Asheville, N.C.; Second Place, Carly Owens, Swannanoa, N.C.; and Third Place, Laura Malanowski, Newton, N.C.

Youth (9-12 years old): First Place, Lydia Gentry, Hendersonville N.C.; Second Place, Gabriella Arthur, Easley S.C.; and Third Place, Emily Spafford, Maryville, Tennessee.

Child (5-8 years old): First Place, Christian Ray, Charlotte N.C.;  Second Place, Shan Patel, Asheville N.C.; and Third Place, Grace Lebo, Nashville, Tennessee.

New to the 2010 competition is a prize for the entry that came from the furthest geographical location from The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa. That prize went to Michael Villella of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The gingerbread creativity featured themes running the gambit from castles to barnyards and country inns to windmills. Photographs of the winning entries can be seen at www.groveparkinn.com in the media section.  

Entries were judged on overall appearance, originality/creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme. The National Gingerbread House Competition™ awards more than $12,000 in cash and prizes. The grand prize winner receives a $3,000 cash prize, plus a two night Club Floor stay at The Grove Park Inn & Spa Resort, complete with dinner for two and breakfast daily at the historic hotel. All contestants receive a personalized certificate.

All of the entries in the National Gingerbread House Competition™ will be on display at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa from Nov. 17 to Jan. 2. The public is invited to view the displays any Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Groups and bus charters are asked to call ahead for reservations.

For more information, please contact The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa at 800.438.5800 or 828.252.2711 or visit http://www.groveparkinn.com.

SOURCE The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa