Bear Mountain Inn's candy house contest entries inspired by area landmarks and old TV shows
Staff said Christmas Eve locals and guests have been marveling at the edible art pieces and have voted in large numbers at the front desk's voting box.
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Hudson Valley residents are being asked to help decide which of the masterpieces in the Bear Mountain Inn lobby is the sweetest.
Staff said Christmas Eve locals and guests have been marveling at the edible art pieces and have voted in large numbers at the front desk's voting box.
First prize is a full-course dinner for two with wine at Restaurant 1915 and the honor of being informally named the area's best candy house contractor.
The works are being judged on appearance, originality, difficulty and precision.
Each piece says something about its artist.
Entry No. 13 is a theater inspired by the stage production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," made with modeling chocolate, gingerbread and hidden supports.
Entry No. 8 is a local history buff's replica of the Bear Mountain Bridge made with rice crispy treats and candy canes.
Entry No. 16 is a neatly built house with a steep roof. Adults with disabilities at The Opportunity Center in Bergen County, New Jersey, built that piece.
The center's entry description states the gingerbread project helped its 21 clients to learn fine motor skills, team work and self-expression.
"We made the gingerbread sheets, we cut them out, and we made the royal icing," Opportunity Center Executive Director Nadine Kaiser said Wednesday afternoon when reached by phone.
Kaiser, who remembers the Inn's famous candy house displays from the 1990s before the tradition faded for several years, said it was a memorable experience for clients and staff.
"It was very exciting for me — and for them — to be part of it," she said. "And it's just so beautiful up there, you know?"
Residents and guests recalled the contests were a long-standing tradition until the Inn stopped holding them more than 10 years ago. Then last year, the resort's managers brought them back, and they are glad they did.
"It's a wonderful thing when the families come in," front desk manager William Van Dunk said. "We get tons of people to come view and they get the chance to vote as well."
Anyone can still vote at the front desk through this Sunday.
It won't be easy.
Judges have to consider other pieces including:
A beehive dripping with honey, a tribute to the Culinary Institute of America's mascot "Sting."
A model of Luke's Diner from the hit 2000s TV show "Gilmore Girls."
A ski lodge with melted jolly ranchers for windows.
An entire Western town with a saloon, a bank and a most wanted poster on a corner post.
Only one can be named the sweetest.
