Stunning gingerbread house fundraiser returns to Victoria
The 14th Annual Gingerbread Showcase has returned to Victoria in support of Habitat for Humanity.
Each year, volunteers spend hundreds of hours making the 100 per cent edible gingerbread houses, and this year's competition launched on Saturday.
People can vote for their favourite gingerbread house, either in person or online for free, though the charity encourages voters to also make a donation in support of their favourite creation.
Mystic Night created by Tracy Aitchison, Tina Ware, Liana Tupper. (Habitat for Humanity)
The donations go to Habitat for Humanity Victoria to help local families build or secure affordable housing.
The theme of this year's gingerbread showcase is "Magical."
Voters can choose their favourite gingerbread houses across six different categories:
- Best first impression
- Best use of skill & technique
- Best interpretation of the theme
- Most creative and original
- Most diverse use of ingredients
- The People's Choice Award – as voted for by showcase visitors
Christmas Magic at Hogwarts Hall created by Jesika Edison. (Habitat for Humanity)
People can see the displays at the atrium of the Parkside Hotel & Spa at 510 Humboldt St. in downtown Victoria from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until Jan. 2.
"It’s a joyous, creative competition that helps foster the spirit of the holidays in Victoria," said J.P. Cadeau, president of event sponsor Revera Canada, in a release Friday.
"I got to see firsthand the enthusiasm, imagination and hard work the residents and employees of our retirement living homes have put into this year’s amazing creations," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
RCMP not investigating possible foreign interference cases related to Chiu, Dong: Duheme
Canada's federal police force is not investigating any possible instances of foreign interference in the cases of former Conservative MP Kenny Chiu and Liberal-turned-Independent MP Han Dong, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme says.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.