Gingerbread creations are beginning to pop up in Iola store windows as the 7th annual Gingerbread Walk begins. Barbara Chalker Anderson and her family have designed gingerbread structures every year for the walk.
“We always try to do one over the Thanksgiving break,” Anderson said. “This is the first year we’ve made two.”
Anderson created a little village with her three granddaughters. It is displayed at Flynn Appliance.
“We made little presents for under the tree and used lots of red and green,” she said.
Her sister, Cindy Chalker, and son Ben Bockover, made a prairie scene. It is displayed in the Allen County Historical Society’s window.
“They wanted to make something simple,” Anderson said.
Their gingerbread creations took them about nine to 10 hours to make. Anderson recalls last year it took her about 19 to 20 hours because she designed the Molly Trolley.
The idea of the Gingerbread Walk came from Clyde Toland when he was traveling. Iola got involved when Anderson was director of the Iola Area Chamber of Commerce. The Gingerbread Walk is a good way to have people come together, she said.
“I’ve always told people every generation can do it,” she said. “Pre-schoolers can do it, grandparents with their grandkids, nursing homes and industries.”
The creations will be on display around town until Dec. 23. Spectators are able to vote for their favorite inside each store.
