Park City Library Hosts 17th Annual Gingerbread Tradition Tonight
The Park City Library holds its 17th annual Gingerbread Jimmi House Building Competition tonight, drawing families and encouraging community engagement during the holiday season. The free event invites children ages 5 to 12 to submit all edible entries by 6 p.m., offers cash prizes up to $125, and features a story time and sing along with Santa after winners are announced.
The Park City Library opens its doors this evening for the 17th annual Gingerbread Jimmi House Building Competition, an event that has become a steady fixture in Summit County’s holiday calendar. Entries must be made entirely of edible materials and delivered to the library by 6 p.m. The contest is split into two age categories, five to eight and nine to twelve, with top prizes ranging from fifty dollars to one hundred twenty five dollars. Local celebrity judges will evaluate the creations and winners will be announced before a story time with Santa, who will read the Gingerbread Jimmi story and lead children in the Gingerbread Jimmi song.
The competition is free and takes place at the Park City Library, 1255 Park Avenue. Finished gingerbread houses will remain on display through the first week of January, offering an extended draw for families and visitors during the peak holiday period. Founder J.R. Holbrook characterized the event as a beloved local tradition and said long running sponsorship has helped sustain it. Holbrook also indicated new Gingerbread Jimmi projects are in the works, including a new book and promotional items tied to the program.
Beyond festive appeal, the event functions as low cost community programming that supports the library’s mission to provide inclusive cultural activities. Free entry and modest cash prizes lower barriers to participation, encouraging a broad cross section of local families to engage. The display period through early January also produces a modest increase in foot traffic to Park Avenue, which can benefit nearby retailers and restaurants during a season when local spending often rises.
For residents planning to attend or participate, organizers emphasize the all edible materials rule and the 6 p.m. drop off deadline. The competition’s longevity and steady sponsorship point to community value that extends beyond a single evening, reinforcing the library’s role as a public space for family activities and seasonal celebration.
