photo by: Chad Lawhorn

"The Shack," left, by KJHK 90.7 staff, and "House on the Hill," by Debi Bradley, were two of the gingerbread creations on display at the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Gingerbread House Auction on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, at Abe & Jake's Landing, 8 E. Sixth St.

For the second year, Lawrence’s Gingerbread Festival & Auction will be spread over two weekends instead of just one — enabling ample opportunity to view the exquisite sugary creations and participate in a festive auction for them.

The annual festival, a Lawrence tradition for more than 20 years, features a gingerbread house competition and an auction of the winning entries. The auction raises money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County.

“This event is special because it brings together the whole community,” said Patricia Hutton of Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters. “Gingerbread houses are made by professionals, Bigs/Littles and community members.”

All events take place at Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St.

Viewing day is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. That is, by design, the same day as the downtown Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade.

Auction night is the following Friday, Dec. 7, beginning at 7 p.m. The adults-only auction with drinks and hors d’oeuvres is a ticketed event, with general admission tickets priced at $50 (table reservations also are available). For $100, attendees can have special access to the VIP “Bourbon & Brews” bourbon tasting event beforehand, beginning at 6 p.m.

“This year, we plan to add more games to provide more entertainment and opportunities to win prizes throughout the evening,” Hutton said.

Want to build a gingerbread house for the competition? Houses — which must be completely edible — must be delivered to Abe & Jake’s on Nov. 29. There are Graham-Cracker Divisions for children ages 5 through 16, and the Gingerbread Division for ages 15 and older. The top Gingerbread Division houses will be entered into the live auction.

For more information, contest entry criteria or to purchase tickets for the auction, go online to gingerbreadauction.com.