South Jordan residents with a hidden talent for decorating gingerbread houses are invited to enter their creations into this year’s Gale Center Gingerbread House contest. All entries will be displayed Nov. 18 through Dec. 5 at the Gale Center, 10300 South Beckstead Lane.

“People bring in whatever they’ve made, and they leave it here for the two weeks,” Special Events Coordinator Lori Edmunds said.

South Jordan City has held this event at the Gale Center for the past seven years. Last year, 20 people entered and Edmunds is hopeful that they will have more than that this year.

Those interested in entering should bring their gingerbread houses to the Gale Center between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18. 

Starting at 4 p.m. on Nov. 18, judges will decide on the first and second-place house in each age category, which are: ages 5 to 8, 9 to 12, 13 to 17, 18 and over and professional.

The winner and runner-up will receive a cash prize.

“We usually give out some cash awards, but I don’t know what they’ll be this year yet,” Edmunds said.

There will also be a People’s Choice award. Those who come to see the edible creations can cast their vote for their favorite from Nov. 14 to Dec. 4. The People’s Choice winner will be announced at the city’s Light the Night event on Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

The Light the Night event is the annual tree lightning ceremony at City Hall, 1600 Towne Center Drive. The gingerbread houses entered in the event will be brought over to decorate the City Hall lobby.

“I think people should come because it’s just fun to come and see the talent that some people have. Some of the houses are very, very well done. Then we have those that the younger kids do that are fun to see and see their creativity,” Edmunds said.