INTERVIEW: Gingerbread beach house competition brings holiday creativity to Carolina Beach

CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. (WECT) - The Island Arts Council is inviting bakers to put a coastal spin on a holiday tradition with its first gingerbread beach house competition.

The competition is free to enter and open to people beyond Pleasure Island, said Barb Buckley, chairperson of the Island Arts Council. Categories include youth ages 11 to 19, adults ages 20 and older, and professionals and businesses.

Entries must have a homemade gingerbread structure, and decorations must be edible. Kits are not allowed, and entries are limited to 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet.

First-place prizes are $50 for youth, $100 for adults and $300 for professionals. Visitors will vote for their favorites at the open house.

The council is asking participants to register through its website by Nov. 18. Entries are due Dec. 9, and the public can view and vote on them from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 10 and 11 at The Proximity in Carolina Beach.

Watch the interview with Buckley for more details about the competition.