Terry Farrell
Record Staff
Odlum Brown’s 13th annual Christmas Village concluded on Wednesday night at the Comox Mall, with the announcement of the winning designs in both the gingerbread house and teddy bear categories.
The Commercial Gingerbread Division was close enough for a recount, as Blackfin Pub edged the Olaf Winter Wonderland (Independent Grocers) by two votes to take top spot.
The Blackfin design was, indeed, a gingerbread replica of the popular Comox eatery.
Olaf’s Winter Wonderland was a replica of a scene from the Disney movie Frozen – a co-creation of Independent Grocer chef Laura Barnes and her daughter, Jessica.
Smitty’s “Santa’s Nautical Express” rounded out the top three.
In the Children’s Gingerbread Division, Ella and Maggie Wilson took home the first-place ribbon for their “Santa’s Surf Shack”.
The Engisch children placed second with their creation, “Santa’s Arrival,” and five-year-old Presley placed third for “Presley’s Magical Christmas.”
In the Teddy Bear Division, Little Lily Tutu took home top honours. The Home Hardware Bear placed second and WestJet’s Captain Kyle & Kelly Love rounded out the top three.
The WestJet entry was also the top money raiser in the silent auction, with a winning bid of $2,100.
The Comox Valley Aboriginal Head Start Preschool won the Gingerbread House People’s Choice Award, while the Teddy Bear People’s Choice Award went to Goldilocks and The Three Bears – an intricate display, complete with a wardrobe of doll-sized clothes, all handmade, right down to the hangers upon which the clothes were hung.
A total of $14,300 was raised in the fundraising event, making the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Comox Valley Child Development Association the biggest winners. The two groups split all the proceeds 50/50.
