Gingerbread fest is sweet

OREM — This year's Gingerbread House Festival at the University Mall has plenty of holiday sugar and spice and — organizers hope — more of everything nice for children's charities.

There are also plenty of beautiful Christmas trees, pine wreaths, shiny packages, silver bells and reindeer sleighs.

There are places to relax, things to do, treats to savor and plenty to buy.

"This is one big party for six days," said festival coordinator Laura Thalin, looking around at the Christmas village created in the space formerly occupied by Gart Brothers Sports. "But the real story is we're hoping to really triple the money brought in, and it will all go for the charities, every single penny, because everything's donated, the labor, the materials, the space."

The festival has found a permanent home at the local mall, said Eric Dowdle, local folk artist and founder and sponsor of the Gingerbread House Foundation of Midway.

Dowdle is hoping to raise $100,000 with this year's effort. In past years, the festival has raised between $45,000-$50,000, but there was considerable overhead cost.

"This year, we truly think we can break $100,000; and since we have no debt, every dime goes to charity," Dowdle said.

The festival features more than 100 colorfully decorated gingerbread houses for purchase. The houses are created and donated by local clubs, businesses and individuals. There are also homemade candies, treats and handmade Christmas gift items from donors throughout the state.

Two giant gingerbread men hold open the door to the festival. Inside, candy kisses, sweet confections and ice cream sundaes line the walls. Oversize candy-cane towers mark the corridors lined with twinkling lights and silk bunting.

Big wooden trains and working lighthouses made by the Amish are for sale along with numerous items in the General Store.

A wishing tree stands in the middle, waiting for families to adopt a needy child or two for Christmas. A winter waterfall bubbles in the corner.

Inside the village, children can decorate one of the 7,000 gingerbread men in the Cooky Corner or take a treat from one of the edible walls or cotton candy trees.

Adults can sip hot chocolate, munch on popcorn and lounge in bean bag chairs while they listen to the entertainers from local schools.