Bessemer Public Library to hold Gingerbread House build

BESSEMER — The Bessemer Public Library will host its eighth annual Gingerbread House building and decorating event in the Bessemer City Hall’s auditorium on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

The library will hold a second helping of the event on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood, on the corner of Margaret Street and Lake Road.

“It’s free and it’s open to kids of all ages, from the littlest ones to teenagers, and whole families,” said library director Melissa Lupino. “It’s not a competition, it’s not a race; it’s just a whole lot of fun.”

Everything will be provided for the construction of confection creations, according to Lupino. “We have graham crackers and icing to start with, and lots of candies for decorations, including candy canes, marshmallows, M&Ms, different cereals and more.”

“It’s so much fun to see what they each come up with,” added Lupino. “For the younger ones, we have sugar cones they can decorate like Christmas tree.”

Lupino said the event has grown every year. “We had a really great turnout last year.”

The library held a similar event at the Ironwood Township hall last year, because the Bessemer library provides services for the township. But the Gingerbread House building couldn’t be held at the township hall this year because of construction there, Lupino said. “Trinity Lutheran was kind enough to loan us their fellowship hall” for the Dec. 14 session.

—Larry Holcombe