Ever wonder where all of those great gingerbread houses at the Southgate Mall each holiday season come from? Yeah, me too.

The Gingerbread House Contest is a fundraiser for Missoula's Ronald McDonald House. Contestants are invited to get creative this holiday season and help bring awareness to this great, local cause by designing and building your own gingerbread house to enter into the contest. Competitors may enter any of the many categories, including children, youth, teen, adult, group/family or professional/skilled.

Ribbons and prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category other than professional/skilled.  The professional/skilled category will have one grand prize winner.  There will also be the People’s Choice Award – voting for this award begins in the evening on November 27th at the Gingerbread House display and continues until December 7th.  And new this year is Facebook’s Choice – voting for this award begins in the evening on November 27th on the RMHC of Western Montana Facebook page and continues until December 7th.

Entry forms must be received at the Ronald McDonald House between now and Sunday, November 26th. The actual gingerbread house must be delivered to the main entrance of Southgate Mall on Monday, November 27 between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. The entry fee is only $15, with all proceeds benefiting the local Ronald McDonald House. Entry forms and a complete list of rules can be picked up at Southgate Mall Guest Services or downloaded from the Ronald McDonald House home page.

What a great holiday tradition to start with your family. Get creative, have fun and good luck! Contest winners will be announced December 8th at 6:45 p.m. in the center of the mall, prior to the Tuba Christmas Concert.

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