Gingerbread Village returns

#Middlebury #GingerbreadVillage #StGeorges #ChristmasBazaar

A magical snowscape is the setting for a prior year’s Gingerbread Village at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Middlebury. This year’s village will be open December 4 to 11. (Photo courtesy St. George’s)

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

Bringing hope and good cheer to folks who missed it last year and who may sorely need something to lift their spirits after nearly two years of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gingerbread Village and Christmas Bazaar at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Middlebury returns this year. Visitors will find elaborately decorated gingerbread houses representing homes, businesses and churches carefully set in place in a snowy New England town. Trees, reindeer and snowmen complete the scene.

The display is centered in a room so visitors can stroll around the perimeter of it and get a good look at each artful (and edible) creation. This will be year 54 for this major fundraising project for the church. In addition, the village is featured on this year’s Lions Club ornament.

Last year’s cancellation was the first in 53 years. Church member Barbara Fecteau, who oversees the project, said even snowstorms haven’t closed the village in the past. “Church members always make it here,” she said, “just in case visitors show up.”

Snow isn’t the only threat to the village. Fecteau recalled avoiding disaster one year when the weather suddenly warmed up the night before the village was to open. With visions of softened gingerbread structures collapsing, she consulted a village founder, Jan Murray, who now lives in Maine. Following Murray’s advice, the window air conditioners, which had been stored away for the winter, were reinstalled, and disaster was averted. “Cold is our friend,” Fecteau said.

Member Kristine Boisits said the theme of this year’s Gingerbread Village and Bazaar is “It’s Christmas Again.” The theme was inspired by the thought of bringing back the Christmas season and celebrating together after the pandemic closure in 2020. Following the theme, St. George’s parishioners design and craft the gingerbread structures, which are made entirely from edible material. Gum, candy, pasta, beans and tons of gingerbread are used to construct each unique showpiece.

“All year you look for candy,” Fecteau said, “even when you are traveling.” She said Black Jack gum used for the houses is made only every now and then, so they buy a case of it when it’s available. She’s always on the lookout for candy that looks like rocks, hard candy that can be melted for stained glass windows, nuts, and pretzel rods to use for support. All items in the Village are for sale and will be available for pick up on the final day.

Fecteau, who is following in the footsteps of her late mother, Irene Gilnack, said whole generations of families work on the creations with ages ranging from toddlers to octogenarians. “I like to start them around two,” she said. “They sit there and watch, spread frosting and apply candy.”

“It’s the church community that does it,” she said of the Village. “It’s just a nice time when everybody comes together and talks as they work. You see people you might not have seen for a while.”

She said the huge project comes together every year because many little tasks get done. Some people bake the gingerbread, some make houses, some make frosting, some clean the frosting tips and bags, some do dishes, some help set up the room for the Village, and some look at the multiple creations and determine how best to lay out the Village. Everyone finds a task they like, and then they do it.

Volunteers also work on the tasks for the Christmas Bazaar that runs alongside the Gingerbread Village. They put together raffle baskets, bake Swedish bread and other baked goods, make preserves, find holiday store items and put together cookie kits. One group baked more than 3,000 gingerbread men. The bazaar offers for sale Christmas handcrafted items, holiday dollar store items, raffle baskets, limited baked items, and gingerbread man cookie kits to take home. Food prepared “to go” will be available Saturday, December 4, and Saturday, December 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Village hours are Saturday, December 4 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, December 5 – 12 to 7 p.m.; Monday through Friday 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.; and Saturday, December 11 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking and admission are free (donations welcome). The church is handicap accessible.

COVID-19 state protocols will be followed during the event to ensure everyone’s safety. Find more information at www.gingerbreadvillagect.com. For general questions, contact the church at 203-758-9864 or email saintgeorgesct@gmail.com. Group appointments can be scheduled by calling 203-758-9557.