Carrie Mandigo and her son, Sam, 5, visit the 2007 Gingerbread Festival & Auction. The auction benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County and brings in dozens of elaborate creations each year.

If it can be imagined, it can be built – out of gingerbread.

“They’re amazing,” Nick Lootens, recruitment coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County, said of the gingerbread creations. “It’ll just blow your mind some of the detail that are put into them.”

Nearly 30 edible and oh-so-unique gingerbread houses went on the auction block Tuesday evening in the 13th Annual Eldridge Hotel Gingerbread Festival and Auction.

About 250 people attended the event at The Eldridge Extended, 201 W. Eighth St. Organizers expected to raise $30,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County.

The sweet smell of confections filled the rooms where the edible art stood on display. The sight of all of the calories was enough by itself to put on the holiday pounds.

There was a 6-foot-tall replica of the Empire State Building. An edible airplane stood near an edible Campanile, complete with an edible Jayhawk. Tree leaves were made of green candy-covered popcorn for one house. Melted candy formed stained-glass windows in another.

Lawrence resident Amy Wilson said her golden glitter church required 30 hours of preparation, including an all-nighter. Her church was the latest of years of entries, including a dog house, bird house and carousel.

“I think it’s a great cause,” she said. “The city of Lawrence needs that help for children who are less fortunate.”

Lawrence radio personality Hank Booth of KLWN was the evening’s master of ceremonies. Mark Elston was the auctioneer.

The creations are auctioned for anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands, Lootens said, while the graham cracker houses created by children typically sell for $20 to $500. Last year’s event raised $27,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters, which matches children with adult mentors.

The Douglas County organization oversees about 300 matches of local youths and adults. Each match costs about $1,000 annually to maintain, including costs for background checks and staff supervision.

“This evening will get 30 kids a big brother or big sister,” Northeast Regional Director Becky Price said.

She said the event is a high-profile fundraiser that has become a regular holiday event for many people. The agency raised $2,600 in the walkup to the event as people paid $2 per person for an early viewing of the creations. That support was up from last year when the previews raised about $900, Price said.

“It’s just part of their Christmas tradition to go and see the houses,” she said.