For those who ask, “What exactly is a Dough Ball?” the answer is that it’s either the start of a great gingerbread house creation, or it’s the name of the kick-off party for this year’s Gingerbread Spectacular at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor.

This year’s Dough Ball on Friday, Dec. 12 features music, food, drinks, a silent auction, a spectacularly decorated venue and the stars of the show, the first glimpses of dozens of gingerbread houses and creations built for the 2014 Gingerbread Spectacular.

In a play on words, the Dough Ball is a fundraiser, with the “dough” proceeds used to help cover the expense of the Gingerbread Spectacular and other free community events offered at the Opera House during the holiday season.

In addition to ticket sales, the evening raises funds through a silent auction for goods and services, including gift certificates for the Greenleaf Inn of Boothbay Harbor, Janson’s Clothing of Boothbay Harbor, Primo’s Restaurant of Rockland, jewelry, artwork, gift baskets, a ship’s model, a designer lamp donated by the Knickerbocker Group, musical instruments, boat trips and more.

The doors to the Dough Ball swing open at 7 p.m. with the music of Barney Balch and Sheepscot Jazz filling the house. The Friends of the Opera House will be passing their hors d’oeuvres and Patricia Monzon will be bartending during the festivities.

The gingerbread judges — restoration specialist Sally Barter and neophytes to the gingerbread judging world, Kelly Robbins and Trish Harrison — will announce the awards during the ball.

Advance tickets/$20 and $30 the day of the event. Purchase yours through the Opera House box office at 207-633-5159 or stop by Tuesday-Friday between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The Opera House is located at 86 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor.

Gingerbread Spectacular and performers

The Gingerbread Spectacular 2014 entries will be on exhibit, free of charge, Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Throughout the event, guests settle in to hear musical acts on stage. The Friends of the Opera House will hold its eagerly awaited bake sale both days of the Gingerbread Spectacular.

Performance schedule:

Dec. 13: Kevin Kiley’s piano students, 11 a.m.; singer-songwriter Mark Phillips, 12:30 p.m.; Community Band, The Holiday Concert, 2 p.m.;

Dec. 14: Melissa Nein’s YMCA dancers, 1 p.m.; Y-Arts Chorus, theater jazz dancers, and soloists with Emily Mirabile at 2 p.m.