Time to vote in holiday contests

The Carson Valley Arts Council is hosting its annual Gingerbread Decorating Contest at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center starting today and running through Dec. 16. This is the second year in a row for this contest, and the museum is filling up fast with the festive creations, according to contest organizer and fellow gingerbread house maker Dennis Little.

"More and more gingerbread houses are starting to show up," said Little. "There are already some great ones in the museum ..."

Little said this year they have added a category for children ages 12 and younger, which makes three separate groups of gingerbread houses to vote on. First-, second- and third-place ribbons will be awarded in the following categories: Children's division, ages 12 and younger; young adult, 13-17 years old; and adults ages 18 and older.

The winners will be announced at a reception at the museum on Dec. 16.

Just as last year, the display and contest run concurrently with the museum's Christmas tree display and contest.

Visitors to the museum during the displays will pay the general admission fee, $3. Regular museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays, except today because of the Holiday Gala, the museum will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call the museum at 782-2555. This event is sponsored in part by the Carson Valley Arts Council, Artistic Viewpoints Gallery, Douglas County Parks & Recreation, Lone Tree Gallery and the Carson Valley Inn.