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Where: 3215 State St. in Omaha, 222 E. Broadway in Council Bluffs
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Omaha; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Council Bluffs. Both open daily through Jan. 1.
Admission: Free
Extras: “The Greatest Treasures” is the theme at both locations, and children can participate in a treasure hunt, of sorts. Musical performances will be offered on occasion in Omaha; the Kanesville Community Chorus will perform Saturday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Council Bluffs.
The smell of gingerbread pervaded the air at the Mormon Trail Center, and for obvious reason — some 200 gingerbread houses stood in rows throughout the room.
For 24 years now, Mormons and others have created gingerbread structures of various sizes, kinds and quality for display at the holidays.
They include little renditions of churches and homes, beach houses and treasure chests, tepees and ships, a bank and a portrait of Jesus, a football field and the Field of Dreams in Iowa.
“These people are so artistical,” said Clair Manansala, 13, of Norfolk. She was with a group of 50 Mormon children and 25 adults from northeast Nebraska; Sioux City, Iowa; and other communities.
There was a version of Noah's Ark, with caramel walruses and chocolate snakes. The ark also contained hippos, gators, ladybugs and mice.
Julie Caricofe inspected the gingerbread creations with her son, 4-year-old Grayson. “It looks like a rock band,” she said.
“A rock band,” Grayson agreed.
They had made their own gingerbread house for this year's display with their friends, the Vaterlaus family.
The little house included flourishes made of jellybeans, pretzels, coconut, marshmallow, candy cane, Peeps, Rice Krispies, gum balls and gumdrops. “You can make it however you want it,” Grayson said.
Elsewhere, there were popcorn for leaves, pretzels for logs, Necco mints for a roof and sugar cubes for a lighthouse.
Three humidifiers run in the Trail Center gingerbread room so the structures won't dry out.
Elder Hoyt Brewster, director of the Trail Center at 3215 State St. and the Kanesville Tabernacle at 222 E. Broadway in Council Bluffs, said it's mostly members of the Mormon Church who make the gingerbread houses, but the activity is available to anyone.
Displays at both sites opened Nov. 21 and will stay open for viewing through Jan. 1. Admission is free.
Contact the writer:
444-1123, rick.ruggles@owh.com
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