How COVID-19 Has Impacted Local Gingerbread Gallery How COVID-19 Has Impacted Local Gingerbread Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Erie Canal Museums 36th annual Gingerbread Gallery is currently taking place. The exhibit is a collection of about 30-40 gingerbread houses that lasts for 7 weeks. Houses can be submitted by anyone in the community.

Museum Executive Director, Natalie Stetson said that they love holding the event because it allows them to be a part of family traditions.

“We are seeing people who come now that are bringing their children, and they used to come as children with their grandparents or their families,” Stetson said.

Although it is a family tradition for many, there are also first timers like Pam Kuczawa.

“I like to watch the baking shows on TV and I thought well this is an in-person thing and I like to support the local community,” Kuczawa said. “So I wanted to see what the local people were doing with the gingerbread homes.”

Last year the gallery still took place, but reservations were required. This year, visitors can walk in and buy tickets at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $4 for children and free for children two and under.

Stetson said that the number of houses submitted hasn’t changed due to the pandemic, but that there has been a shift in who is making them.

“Prior to the pandemic, we would get a lot of like youth groups, nursery schools, girl scout troops that submitted entries,” Stetson said. “The past two years we have seen none of those. But we’ve seen an increase in families getting together and making them.”

Kuczawa said that she had planned on going to the gallery last year, but decided not to because of the pandemic. She said that this year she felt more comfortable going.

“I think we know more about COVID than we did, and I’m triple protected,” Kuczawa said. “I read that masks were required and figured that coming during the week in the morning it would probably be fewer people, which it clearly is. So I didn’t feel too bad about it.”

With the Omicron variant starting to spread, the museum is paying attention to CDC and New York State recommendations.

“Keeping people safe is our top priority. So whatever we need to do we’re prepared,” Stetson said.

Last year the museum created a virtual version of the gallery. It didn’t make one this year, but it’s prepared to if it has to.

For more information on the gallery visit: https://eriecanalmuseum.org/gingerbread/