Competitor Entry Form
Deadline: Monday, November 13, 2023, by 5pm ET.  Online registration only.

Entry Delivery Day(s)
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Child and Youth 10am-12pm
Teen and Adult 1-5pm

Monday, November 20, 2023
Restaurant/Business 10am-1pm
Baking or Pastry Student, Professional or Bakery 1pm-5pm

Gingerbread Display – Public Viewing
Saturday, November 25, 2023 – Saturday, December 30, 2023*

* Exclusion dates include December 24, 25, 26, 31^st and January 1^st and 2^nd

The registered Competitor will receive all correspondence, notifications, and updates regarding the 3rd Annual Virginia Beach Gingerbread House Competition and Exhibit via email. If the individual entering is under 18 years of age by the date of the Competition entry, consent from a parent or legal guardian is required in addition to disclosing the minor’s date of birth. Following receipt of the Competitor Entry Form, the entrant will receive a confirmation email.

The following categories are available for entry into the 3rd Annual Virginia Beach Gingerbread House Competition and Exhibit:

• Child Category – Individuals between 5 and 8 years of age entering as a single entrant
• Youth Category – Individuals between 9 and 12 years of age entering as a single entrant
• Teen Category – Individuals between 13 and 17 years of age entering as a single entrant
• Adult Category – Individuals 18 years of age and older entering as a single entrant
• Restaurant/Business
• Bakery Business or Pastry Student or Professional

There is no overall theme for the competition. Competitors are welcomed and encouraged to design their entry for the 2023 Competition uniquely. The theme should be the competitor’s own and consistent throughout the entry. Keep in mind overall appearance, originality and creativity, difficulty, precision, and consistency of theme. 

Who can vote?
All entries will be judged by the public.

How and when can I vote?
Voters may vote 1 time per category throughout the duration of the competition.  Voting will begin on November 25, 2023, and conclude on December 23, 2023.

Votes will be processed online at https://gingerbread.coastalvirginiamag.com. Voters must create and be signed into their account on the voting platform to vote (if you do not receive a verification email right away, please check your spam & junk folders.)

How will I know if I won?
Winners will be notified by email and announced the week of December 25, 2023, on social media channels:  @dineinvb, @atlanticwildfowlheritagemuseum, and @coastalvamag.  

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

MATERIALS

Can I use a kit?
Yes, Gingerbread house kits are allowed for use except in the Bakery business or Pastry Student or Professional. Kits can be sourced at local retailers, such as Michaels, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.

What type of materials can I use?
Everything above the base of your entry must be composed completely of edible materials, to include what “glues” pieces together.  Edible materials are not limited to candies and icings. Use of gum paste, fondant, pastillage, chocolate, modeling chocolate, royal icing, isomalt, cast sugar, gelatin, and pressed sugar is encouraged. Use of “Disco Dust”, “Rainbow Dust” or “Hologram Powder” is permitted. Candies must be unwrapped and free of any non-edible materials, for example: lollipop sticks. Non-edible materials such as paint and/or ribbon are approved and encouraged to decorate the outer edge of your plywood (delete)base only.  Decorations must not cause the entry to exceed the required size limitations.

What is not allowed?
Any entry with non-edible components or using unapproved techniques will be automatically disqualified from the competition. No artificial display or structural materials, such as Styrofoam, interior or exterior lighting, or other electronic components are to be used in the construction or decoration of the entry.

Because the exhibit continues for multiple weeks, VBRA or affiliates will not provide repairs.  Entrants will be notified if their structure needs repair.

SIZE

Entry must be placed on a board base. Houses must be free-standing and secured or mounted on the base.  Entries combined with a base must not be larger than 16 inches high, 16 inches wide, and 16 inches long, and a  ½” or ¾” base for your entry is recommended (unless you have received prior approval.  Please email Director@dineinvb.com for more information). No element of the entry should extend beyond or hang over the edge of the base. Decorations must not cause the entry to exceed the required size limitations. Use of pegs/risers/feet on the bottom of the base is preferred but not required. If you wish to install pegs/risers/feet on the underside of your base, they are considered as part of the base and must not cause the entry’s overall height to exceed 16 inches. Weight is not to exceed 50 pounds. (NOTE:  Your display must negotiate openings measuring 35” in width)

Entries must be solely constructed by the individual(s) entering the competition. Child, Youth, or Teen competitors may be assisted and supervised, for safety precautions, by a parent, legal guardian, or classroom teacher.

For competitors that wish to keep their gingerbread entry after the Competition display has ended, they must pick their display between the hours of 10am and 4pm on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 or Thursday, January 4, 2024. Entries remaining will be discarded beginning at 5pm on Thursday, January 4, 2024.

1. I must submit my COMPETITOR ENTRY FORM in digital form no later than 5pm ET on Monday, November 13, 2023.
2. I must submit my ENTRY DESCRIPTION FORM as requested no later than Monday, November 20, 2023, 5pm ET.
3. I must deliver my completed entry to the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum at the time assigned to my category on November 19^th or 20^th , 2023.
4. I acknowledge that my entry will remain on display during the holiday season through December 30, 2023. My entry may not be picked up prior to January 3, 2024.
5. I must pick up my entry between the hours of 10am and 4pm on Wednesday, January 3 or Thursday, January 4, 2024. Entries remaining will be discarded beginning at 5pm on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
6. By voluntarily participating in the Competition, I’ve consented to receiving email communication from Virginia Beach Restaurant Association (VBRA) about the Competition itself and future Competition planning/media requests as they arise. Competitors may unsubscribe at any time by alerting VBRA of their preference.
7. I hereby grant permission to Virginia Beach Restaurant Association (VBRA), Coastal Virginia Magazine, Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum and the historic de Witt Cottage to print or otherwise duplicate the picture or likeness of my entry and/or myself with my entry for either internal or external release, this includes print, video and online publications, plus local and network television. I understand that the image of my entry becomes the property of VBRA and affiliates. By participating, each Competitor agrees to be bound by all Rules and Procedures herein, which may be amended from time to time. VBRA reserves the right to refuse entries that are deemed inappropriate for display at the museum, to disqualify any Competitor who fails to follow the Rules and Procedures contained herein and/or to disqualify any Competitor who falsifies any entry form information.
8. I agree to HOLD HARMLESS, RELEASE, DEFEND, AND INDEMNIFY, each of their current or former predecessors, successors, each of their affiliated organizations and companies, their insurance companies, their respective agents, employees, representatives, assignees, officers, directors, members, partners, medical providers and shareholders (each a “RELEASED PARTY”) for ANY AND ALL LIABILITY and/or claims arising from injury to persons or damage to property arising from the incident, any RELEASED PARTY’S alleged or actual NEGLIGENCE OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF any express or implied WARRANTY, breach of contract, or breach of any statutory or other duty of care, or mistakes or errors in judgment of any kind. By signing this release, I agree that I am releasing any right to make a claim or file a lawsuit against Virginia Beach Restaurant Association (VBRA), Coastal Virginia Magazine, Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum and the historic de Witt Cottage. THE RELEASOR AGREES TO DEFEND AND INDEMNIFY each RELEASED PARTY for any and all claims and/or those of a third party arising from the incident.