It will be for the community to decide the winner of the 2016 annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest held for the ninth year at the Dimmick Memorial Library.

The Jim Thorpe library has a number of handmade houses on display this year: Haunted Holiday, Dante's Super House, Ginger gingerbread, Train Station, Pop-up Nativity, Mauch Chunk 5&10, Skating Wonderland, Hansel and Gretel's Candy House. A Berenstain Bear hut, Moose Lodge and a Santa's Village also line the table waiting to win the holiday contest.Creativity reigns this year as houses are constructed with everything from pretzels, fresh ginger, Halloween candy to toast and fondant.The Moose Lodge rendition entry appears to be in the lead with the most tickets in its brown-paper bag, but with a few more days until the tally, it's still any baker's game."It's very competitive," said library Director Rachel Hoff."This is only the second year we have used this voting process. It's a really great way to get the community involved."The qualifications for the competition are simple: all parts of the entry must be edible except the tray supporting the construction.Controversy over one house in particular has been the topic of discussion among contestants. At the center of the construction discrepancy is a broccoli house with gingerbread bear family iced to the front of the structure.The canister holding the large purple green florets is not a digestible ingredient."The flier says everything should be edible. Some other contestants have voiced concerns, but it's happened in the past," Hoff said with a laugh."It gets cutthroat," she said. "People are sending in their friends and families to vote. I wouldn't be surprised if they were being bribed."One contestant said her 6-year-old son spent days on the construction of his entry."First he drew plans and then baked the ginger cookie. We made it from scratch. It took a few days," said Jim Thorpe resident Jennie McClintock."He had a wonderful time. We love the library and I try to get him involved with the community."Houses were dropped off on Nov. 30 to give residents and tourists alike a chance to spend 50 cents per vote on their favorite baked endeavor.According to Hoff, Saturday has been the biggest voting day with more than $100 worth of tickets sold in one afternoon."It's been very successful. A lot of people come to the library this time of year specifically for the houses," Hoff said.Another entry was worked on by a small group who spent hours building their creation."It's a really great way to bring the community and families together around the holidays. I'm 27 and my brother is 12. We all sat around the table working together. Without this competition it probably wouldn't have happened," Brandon Lux said.Money raised by votes will benefit the library and be applied to the technology upkeep in the historic buildings."I'm trying to keep the computers we have alive," Hoff said.Votes can be cast until Monday at 4 p.m. Afterward, tickets will be tallied and the winner will be announced over cookies and beverages at 5 p.m.First place will take home a gingerbread book and $50. Second place will be awarded $35, and third place will pocket $25."Tom McBride (former library board member and owner of Old Jail Museum) donates the prize money every year," Hoffman said.The edible buildings will be donated to Santa's reindeer if left in at the library after Monday.To take part in the democratic decision, stop in the library at 54 Broadway before the deadline.