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A sweet comeback By Sarah Lemon Nov 18, 2022 12:30 AM A A 5 View all photos “Gingerbread Farm Jubilee” by Melisa Corcoran is viewed at the annual Gingerbread Jubilee at the Craterian Theater in Medford. [Mail Tribune file photo] “The Gingerbread Man,” made by Bill, Natalie, Ryan, Amelia and Kate Gladbach and Connie Derek, took first place in the group category at the 2017 Gingerbread Jubilee. [Mail Tribune file photo/Andy Atkinson] Kate Sharbono won Best of Show at the Gingerbread Jubilee, her third straight victory, for her Shakespeare-inspired “A Midsummer Night's Dream.” [Mail Tribune file photo/Jamie Lusch] Kate Sharbono's replica of Butte Creek Mill in Eagle Point was the 2016 Best of Show winner at the Gingerbread Jubilee in Medford. [Mail Tribune file photo/Denise Baratta] “Who-Ville: How the Grinch Stole Christmas” was created by students Amelia and Kate Gladbach for the annual Gingerbread Jubilee. [Mail Tribune file photo] A new competitive baking category at this year’s Gingerbread Jubilee sweetens the deal for students. Bakers 11 years old and younger have their own arena for the first time in the Jubilee’s 20-year history. The change, which groups entries submitted by 12- to 18-year-olds into a single category, levels the playing field for the Jubilee’s youngest bakers and encourages wider participation. “It’s really challenging for the little ones — 6-, 7-year-olds — to compete against high school students, said baker coordinator Lynae Williams. “We have so many student entries.” More students seem to be driving a particularly high turnout, said spokeswoman Aspen Droesch, adding that an entire classroom from Medford’s St. Mary’s School entered the Craterian’s flagship fundraiser, which culminates this week in a gala auction and community tour. “We’re anticipating a record number of houses this year,” said Droesch, explaining that entry forms in late October were about double over the previous year. Bakers’ cookie construction far surpasses cottages, castles and even monuments. The Jubilee’s most spectacular sculptures over the years have depicted farms, forests, snowscapes, underwater realms, scenes from popular books and movies and, of course, plenty of holiday-themed creations. Each must be crafted entirely of edible materials and meet the Jubilee’s size specifications. At stake are nearly $3,000 in cash prizes awarded in each of three categories — adult, student and mixed age group — as well as the $1,000 grand prize. The new “junior student” category offers participants slightly smaller prizes: $200, $100 and $50 for first, second and third places, respectively. Entries are auctioned off Friday, Nov. 18. With fundraising totals down over the past two years of virtual events, Jubilee organizers hope the return to live, in-person festivities — coupled with two major milestones — will restore philanthropy to its historical levels, said Droesch. The Jubilee raised just over $215,000 last year but is aiming for $275,000 on its 20th anniversary, which would push the event total since its 2003 inception to nearly $3 million. The theater, itself, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. “This type of fundraiser could not be more critical for the theater,” said Droesch, adding that memberships declined during the pandemic and ticket sales tend to be more last-minute, although the Craterian has a full slate of performances again. “We really wanted a full return to being in here and literally smelling the frosting and the gingerbread,” said Droesch. “The gingerbread houses are just something you have to see in person to get the magic of them.” Entries in 2020 and 2021 were viewed through large picture windows at the Collier Creative Center in downtown Medford and also highlighted in a virtual tour posted to the Craterian’s website. Auctions were held online the past two years, inviting the general public — not just ticket holders — to bid. “We chose to go back to a full, in-person auction,” said Droesch, explaining the event is “special and intimate” for about 160 participants seated on the stage inside Medford’s Collier Center for the Performing Arts. “We’re back to our normal traditions.” Also returning are many of the event’s accomplished, crowd-pleasing bakers, some of whom will accompany their entries during the community tour and converse with the public, said Williams. Seasoned bakers sustained the Jubilee through pandemic restrictions — and used the downtime to refine their skills, she said. But some “outliers … might be kind of surprising,” she said. Audiences can look for entries inspired by Disney characters and other whimsical childhood themes. Space- and outdoors-themed artworks add to the Jubilee’s “diversity,” she said. The community tour runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 19 and 20, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, at the Collier Center for the Performing Arts, 23 S. Central Ave. Admission is $3 per person. See craterian.org/support-us/gingerbread-jubilee Reach features editor Sarah Lemon at 541-776-4494 or [email protected]