The Gingerbread Stroll Charity Fundraiser Offers Homes so Sweet You Could Just Eat Them Up

Since it’s beginning 13 years ago, the Gingerbread Stroll has brought beautiful gingerbread houses from Dallas’ top pastry chefs and bakeries to Highland Park Village. This year is no different, but it may be a little sweeter.

The event, sponsored by Allie Beth Allman & Associates kicked off Thanksgiving break on Nov. 17 and will be on display in select Highland Park Village shops through Nov. 30. Enter your name in the silent auction to take one of these delectable creations home for the holidays knowing that 100 percent of the proceeds from the event benefit Community Partners of Dallas.

“The Gingerbread Stroll is celebrating its 13th year and we are so excited to carry on this annual tradition. Many thanks to Highland Park Village, our many retail partners, and of course, the talented chefs who create our magical gingerbread houses for making it possible,” said Allie Beth Allman & Associates agent Christine McKenny, who founded the fundraiser. “And we are so thrilled to announce that this year’s stroll will once again benefit Community Partners of Dallas and the children they serve.”

Since 2011, the annual event has raised thousands of dollars for charities that give children a chance at a better life. Each year, a different charity is selected as the beneficiary.  Since its inception, the Gingerbread Stroll has raised more than $225,000.

“Community Partners of Dallas is honored to be selected again this year as the beneficiary of The Gingerbread Stroll. It has become a holiday highlight for so many, and we are equally as excited to stroll through Highland Park Village to see all of the beautiful gingerbread houses,” added Joanna Clarke, president and CEO of Community Partners of Dallas. “Most importantly we are grateful to the community for supporting this annual event, whose proceeds will provide critical funds to help us meet increased needs for abused and neglected children in Dallas County.”

Featured hotels, pastry chefs and artists for this year’s stroll include BIRD Bakery; pastry chef Arielle Sutcliffe of Pastry Works; CEO Pam G. Eudaric and her family and friends from Chocolate Secrets;  pastry chef Adrian Arandela and pastry team from Hilton Anatole; pastry chef Samantha Cade from Cade’s Cakes; pastry chef Winter Lockwood-Frank from Charlie’s Burgers & Street Tacos; Gingerbread House Master Creations by Kristen Schweiger and Marsha Schweiger; and the Bistro 31 pastry team.

Highland Park retailers that will showcase the elaborate gingerbread houses include Beretta Gallery, BIRD Bakery, Bistro 31, ETRO, MARKET Highland Park, Roller Rabbit, SIMKHAI, and The Village Barber Shop.