The fragrance of gingerbread will soon be coming from the Dimmick Memorial Library in Jim Thorpe.

The library is sponsoring a Gingerbread House Contest as part of Jim Thorpe's Olde Time Christmas Festival. There is no entry fee so everyone can enter.Categories will be: Adult (13 and up); Child (12 and under); and Group. Three prizes will be awarded in each category. First Prize in each category will receive $25, with two runners up, each receiving $10.Every part of the gingerbread house must be edible, except for the platform on which it is built.The deadline for entry is Dec. 2. Entries may be delivered to the Dimmick Memorial Library, 54 Broadway, Jim Thorpe between Monday, Nov. 29 and Thursday, Dec. 2. Judging will be held at the library on Thursday, Dec. 2nd at 6 p.m.Include your name, address, phone number and category entered with your created gingerbread house entry. Entries will be on display at the Dimmick Memorial Library until Dec. 18 so that families and visitors may enjoy them.Many of our fondest Christmas traditions have very ancient roots. Among these traditions is the use of gingerbread for ornaments and houses.Ginger was very desirable as an imported spice and used widely throughout Europe but it gained its honor in Germany.In the 1500s, ginger was used for bread and formed into stars, trees and little figures for Christmas decorations.This love of gingerbread ornaments led to the use of gingerbread for creating larger pieces, such as the gingerbread house. These houses are decorated with candy and other sweets and use icing as the glue to hold the house together.In Bamberg, Germany, the Christmas market features a full-size house decorated to resemble a gingerbread house, where gingerbread stars are sold to children of all ages.For more information on the Dimmick Memorial Library Gingerbread House Contest, call the library at (570) 325-2131.