This whimsical Alice in Wonderland–themed gingerbread house was one of the imaginative entries on display at the 2022 Winterfest and Gingerbread House Contest in Orinda, where local residents showcased their holiday creativity.
The holiday season will get an early start in Orinda on Friday, Dec. 5, with the city’s 4th annual Winterfest and Orinda Gingerbread House Contest, at the Orinda Community Center.
“We really enjoy how this event brings so many segments of the community together – as a result of the many different activities taking place – to experience and enjoy simple, wholesome holiday fun,” said Todd Trimble, director of Orinda’s Parks & Recreation Department, which hosts the event.
The free family-friendly event begins at 6 p.m., with public viewing of the gingerbread house entries starting at 5:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy holiday crafts, live performances, refreshments and festive photo opportunities throughout the evening.
“In addition to the holiday treats and crafts, photo ops and the OIS choir, we anticipate a bit more live entertainment from students enrolled in some of our performing arts classes” this year, he said. “Also, a local non-profit, Mindful Littles, will be conducting a service project (diaper bundling) as they have done for the past couple years. And the Friends of the Orinda Library (FOL) will host a holiday book sale.”
He added that both of these activities will be held at the Orinda Community Center and will begin at 5 p.m. and resume after the Winterfest activities get under way.
Planning for the annual event begins right after each year’s gathering, with initial reviews of what worked and what could be improved. Formal preparations start about six months out, but most of the work takes place in the final one to two months.
“The entire agency is involved in some ways, but Parks & Rec does most of the heavy lifting for this event,” Trimble added.
The Gingerbread House Contest, sponsored by the Orinda/Tabor Sister City Foundation, will showcase entries from Orinda residents only.
Entry categories are ages 12 and under, 13-17 and adult. The contest highlights the community’s creativity and holiday spirit, and families are encouraged to participate or attend to see the elaborate and imaginative designs. Entries must include name, address and phone number.
Note that gingerbread entries will be accepted at the Orinda Community Center on Dec. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. (picked up on Dec. 23 between 3 and 5 p.m.) and winners will be announced at the Orinda Tree Lighting on Dec. 5, with prizes to include $100 for first, $20 for second and $10
for third.
Trimble said it never hurts to arrive early, “but there should be plenty of parking. We have no other events going on at the community center, the library closes at 6 p.m. and the Rite Aid lot will likely be clear.”
Winterfest, which is becoming a holiday tradition in Orinda, brings together residents, local businesses and organizations to celebrate the season.
For more information about the event or contest entry rules, visit cityoforinda.org or call Parks & Rec at 925.254.2445.
