The 2024 Christmas in St. Michaels Collectors Ornament is the 21st in the series and depicts the Chesapeake deadrise workboat with its crew and a friendly canine companion. The boxed ornament can be purchased at select local retail shops and the weekend-long Christmas in St. Michaels Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe. (Photo courtesy Christmas in St. Michaels)
Bakers and pastry chefs of all ages and talent levels are can get their gingerbread house games on with the return of the Christmas in St. Michaels Gingerbread House competition this December and a purse totaling $2,000 in prizes up for grabs.
The competition is an important component of the fundraising the all-volunteer organization achieves with the annual event, organizers said, with the creations highlighted and on display at the Gingerbread “House” Preview Cocktail Party at the Woman’s Club of St. Michaels on Thursday, Dec. 12 beginning at 5 p.m.
“We are encouraging participants to donate their creations for our silent auction, to be held the evening of the cocktail party,” said Michele Lowe, Gingerbread House Competition co-chairperson. “All auction proceeds support the beneficiaries of Christmas in St. Michaels.”
Entrants can pick their category for participation, which includes master chefs and caterers, adults, young adults, children, children with adults, kit-made houses, and non-profit organizations. Participation is free, but pre-registration is needed. Visit www.christmasinstmichaels.org/events to register.
The cash prizes awarded in each category:
• Master chefs and caterers: $500 first place;
• Adult (19 years old and older): $300 first place, $200 second place, $150 third place;
• Young Adult (13-18 years old) – $100 first place;
• Child (12 years old and younger): $100 first place;
• Child with Adult (12 years old and younger): $100 first place;
• Kits: Child (12 years old and younger); Young Adult (13-18 years old); Adult (19 years old and older) – $50 first place in each age group; and
• Non-profit Community Organization: Open to all non-profit community organizations; no kits permitted in this category, $150 first place.
In addition to the above categories, a $150 cash prize will be awarded for the Candy Backus Award (Best Depiction of the Eastern Shore) and $100 for the Peoples’ Choice Award.
The 2024 Christmas in St. Michaels Collectors Ornament has also been announced and is the 21st in the series.
This year’s ornament depicts the Chesapeake deadrise workboat with its crew and a friendly canine companion. The image was provided by St. Michaels artist Sherry Smith.
The boxed ornament is available for purchase at select local retail shops and at the weekend-long Christmas in St. Michaels Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe. Online purchases can be made at www.christmasinstmichaels.org/ornament.
The deadrise workboat has been a staple among Chesapeake watermen for decades. “Deadrise” refers to the almost flat, V-shaped hull that provides a shallow draft to accommodate the waters in creeks and rivers of the Eastern Shore.
Boats range from 25-45 feet in length and are powered by large, inboard 4 or 6-cylinder engines, usually diesel-fueled.
“It is typical to see dozens of these deadrise workboats plying the waters of the Eastern Shore in the wee hours of the morning as they seek the day’s catch, returning to the pier in the early afternoon to get their catch to market,” said Christmas in St. Michaels Chairperson Pat Martin. “We’re honored to add this limited-edition ornament to our collection to pay tribute to watermen and their boats in the St. Michaels area and the Chesapeake Bay region at large.”
Workboats typically sport women’s names on the transom or bow, paying tribute to wives and daughters.
Others, such as the one in this ornament, refer to the town, river, or creek the boat calls home port.
Since the all-volunteer organization’s beginnings, sponsors and patrons of Christmas in St. Michaels have helped raise more than $1.7 million in support of local children and adults served by family-focused, education and child development, and community enhancement organizations.
Event details, online ticket and ornament purchases, and more about Christmas in St. Michaels are at christmasinstmichaels.org.
