“Estimates were 100-125 the first day, about 150-160 on day two and 300 to 350 the final two days,” said Sherrill. “This is about half the number from past years, but much of previous years’ numbers were inflated when 150 people would arrive to see the YMCA dancers or the community band. Our overall estimate is about 900 crossed the threshold.”

The event required masks to enter. Sherrill marked the six-foot social distancing with tape during the judging the late afternoon of  Dec. 1. Kevin Kiley worked his grand holiday magic on the main performance space that, with the presence of the gingerbreads, lifted the spirits of one and all. 

“Masks stayed on, hand sanitizer squirted out with abandon, people kept their distance, windows helped the air inside mimic the air outside, there was little to touch along the way,” Sherrill said. “We (staff, volunteers and the board) all felt that the exhibit went off in a safe way for these times – and we agreed it was worth the extra planning and precautions to help create a bit of holiday magic for those comfortable venturing into the House.”

The Friends’ bake sale raised far more than expected. Ginger fans continued their generosity with each passing donation jar, and bidding on the gingerbreads matched bids of Gingerbread Spectaculars past. Sherrill said Susan Brackett’s Most Spectacular winner,  “ ... And Sugarplums Danced In Their Heads,” was also the gingerbread with the most bids. 

Sherrill noted the Best Youth entry, “Holiday Home Wrecker,” by Addie Barter drew lots of laughs; kids liked the “Peanuts Christmas” entry by Sheila Wiken; and the chocolate rocks around the “Burnt Island Light” entry by Rick Koplau and Eric Rice, Sherrill said, “really reeled them in” while the Hurd family’s first ever entry of Hendricks Head Lighthouse seemed to be a favorite of Southporters.

The sweet, detailed magic of Carla Warren’s “Winter Wonderland” – this year’s Almost Most Spectacular award winner – proved very popular with the ginger lovers; and the sweet and charming marshmallow people of “Snow Fun” – this year’s Most Creative entry by St. Andrews Village – brought smiles to many.

“There was a palpable sense of gratefulness in the House over the four days of the Spectacular. I witnessed community members seeing others for the first time in months and watched as they, masked, stood apart and caught up in the center of the room,” said Sherrill. “ I was thanked for the normalcy of it all. Even with the gloom of COVID-19 lurking at every turn, there was a real happiness inside. We kept the windows open, so it was cool, but nevertheless, there was a warmth in the room. It couldn't have been better.”

And there is good news for those who did not see the 2020 Gingerbread Spectacular in person, or just want to see the gingerbreads again: Jonne Trees of  BRTV Media Center created a video that can be viewed at https://www.boothbaytv.com. Check out the Gingerbread Spectacular, and all of this year’s events, there.