The History Center has announced winners of the 40th annual Festival of Gingerbread competition.
News release from the History Center:
History Center Announces Festival of Gingerbread 2025 Winners
Fort Wayne, Indiana (November 24, 2025) — The History Center has announced winners of the 40th annual Festival of Gingerbread competition.
Winners are:
PreK – 2nd Grade Individual
- 1st – Kyser Beverforden
- 2nd – Nova Smith
- 3rd – Eli Wilson
PreK – 2nd Grade Group
- 1st – St. Joseph Hessen Cassel 2nd Grade B
- 2nd – Leo Preschool
- 3rd – St. Joseph Hessen Cassel 2nd Grade A
3rd – 6th Grade Individual
- 1st – Max Snider
- 2nd – Violet Wogomon
- 3rd – Hannah Steinman
3rd – 6th Grade Group
- 1st – American Heritage Girls – Explorers 3
- 2nd – American Heritage Girls – Explorers 2
- 3rd – Hambleton Boys
Teen Individual
- 1st – Avery Nicole
- 2nd – Johann Mondragon
- 3rd – Emily Gulley
Teen Group
- 1st – Birkey Boys
- 2nd – The Thober’s
- 3rd – Career Academy Group C
Adult Individual
- 1st – Debra St. Clair
- 2nd – Veronica Orme
- 3rd – Lori Scheele
Adult Group
- 1st – Larissa & Alane Johnson
- 2nd – Lutheran Life Village—Inverness
- 3rd – Ashley Holt & Gretchen Espich
Family
- 1st – The Herrera Family
- 2nd – Mary Moseberth, Arianna Harmon, & Donna Rudolph
- 3rd – The Skaggs Family
Elite
- 1st – Madison Aschliman
- 2nd – Beth Studebaker
- 3rd – Eric Becker
Historical Theme – Adult
- The Skaggs Family
Historical Theme – Student
- Johann Mondragon
40th Anniversary Ruby Theme – Adult
- Veronica Orme
40th Anniversary Ruby Theme – Student
- Avery Nicole
People’s Choice Awards and honorary awards will be announced at the end of the Festival.
The History Center is excited to announce that the 40th Annual Festival of Gingerbread returns Friday, November 28th and runs through Sunday, December 21st. With a record-breaking 183 new creations crafted this year by gingerbread artists of all ages and skill levels, this cherished holiday event will continue its tradition of joyful spirit, even with necessary additional precautions.
Admission to the Festival is $7 for adults ages 18-64; $5 for seniors ages 65+ and Youth ages 3-17; and free to children age 2 and under. History Center members also receive free admission. There is no extra charge for special activities or events unless indicated. Admission also includes the opportunity to visit the entire museum.
Extended hours during the Festival of Gingerbread are Monday through Thursday 9 am to 5 pm; Friday and Saturday 9 am to 8 pm; and Sunday noon to 5 pm. The History Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
On Lighting Night, November 26th, visitors can get a sneak peek at the gingerbread creations from 3 to 9 pm, when admission is only $4 per person.Join us for Food Drive Admission Night, December 2nd from 5 to 9 pm. Bring a nonperishable food item as your admission to benefit the Community Harvest Food Bank.
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