A gingerbread mansion.
As the Halloween season’s ghosts and goblins scampered home, preparations for the upcoming holiday season at the historic Opera House at Boothbay Harbor began. Pumpkins and skeletons were stowed away to make room for holiday greenery and the launch of the annual Gingerbread Spectacular.
Colorful gingerbread houses brighten the holiday season.
Leading up to mid-December’s magical Gingerbread Spectacular weekend the opera house will offer a free class, “Creating Great Gingerbread Houses,” on the fine and often hilarious art of creating gingerbread houses and structures. Each year, dozens of cabins and castles, ships and lighthouses — and more — are dreamt up by Midcoast residents and then constructed out of gingerbread and other confections for the not-so-cutthroat competition and community exhibit.
The class is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 3 p.m. in the main performance hall of the opera house. Instructor and seasoned gingerbread house builder Kevin Kiley will lead the class, which is designed for all ages.
Kiley will share tricks of the trade, including “how to keep your house standing upright” and “icing that will withstand an earthquake,” he said. Supplies will be provided for participants to put their newly learned gingerbread talents to the test.
While the class is free, those interested in attending are encouraged to call the opera house at 633-5159 to register. The class is designed for novice and intermediate bakers and builders.
The gingerbread class marks the beginning of the gingerbread season in Boothbay Harbor, and one month later the Dough Ball Opening Night Party will kick off the Gingerbread Spectacular on Friday, Dec. 14. Details, including the names of this year’s gingerbread judging team, will be announced in early December, but tickets for the Dough Ball are available now through the box office at 86 Townsend Ave. or by calling 633-5159. For additional information, visit boothbayoperahouse.com.
