New Gingerbread Jam champions crowned

By Melanie LeCroy / melanie@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 12/8/21

The Gingerbread Jam has become an annual tradition with two teams dominating each year. BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets and the Jingle Bell Johnsons have won their respected category each year. This year …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Subscribe to continue reading. Already a subscriber? Sign in

Get the gift of local news. All subscriptions 50% off for a limited time!

You can cancel anytime.
 

Please log in to continue

Log in

New Gingerbread Jam champions crowned

Posted

The Gingerbread Jam has become an annual tradition with two teams dominating each year. BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets and the Jingle Bell Johnsons have won their respected category each year. This year the competition saw more commercial competitors than ever before with four teams and stiff competition in the family category.

BuzzCatz Coffee and Sweets team recreated the classic 1989 Christmas movie “Christmas Vacation” complete with a sledding hill, Cousin Eddie’s camper and an oversized Christmas tree. Cousin Eddie aka Brian Harsany, owner of BuzzCatz, was present and in costume.

Team Sand and Kisses Children’s Clothing Boutique recreated Bethlehem and the manger scene complete with an edible Holy Bible, sheep, angels and Jesus asleep in the manger. The team was composed of Shannon Gray, sand sculptor Janel Hawkins and Nicole Goodbar. The team was sponsored by Sand and Kisses Children’s Clothing Boutique located at The Wharf.

The Boo Boo Crew from Rapid Southern Rapid Care recreated Orange Beach out of gingerbread. The display included the Southern Rapid Care’s future office, the fire department, beach and Orange Beach City Hall complete with a gingerbread man version of Mayor Tony Kennon.

The final team in the commercial category was composed of a group of Expect Excellence students who created a large gingerbread village.

The family category had many new competitors and a few returning teams. The displays varied from traditional winter scenes to beach themed. The Jingle Bell Johnsons (Jerry and Yo Johnson) decided to hang up their aprons this year after four consecutive titles.

The Orange Beach Event Center was buzzing all morning as competitors pushed to finish their displays before the deadline. The doors opened to the public at 11 a.m. and filled with visitors who had the chance to watch teams work, ask questions and cast their People’s Choice votes. The family category deadline was noon and the commercial category deadline was 1 p.m. Judges visited each display, asked questions and made sure the displays met all the requirements.

Gingerbread Jam 2021 results:

Commercial

First Place Overall: Team Sand and Kisses Children’s Clothing Boutique

People’s Choice: Team Sand and Kisses Children’s Clothing Boutique

Family

First Place Overall: SWISH

People’s Choice: SWISH

Second Place:  Team Ginger Spice, Team Wesley