For the last 15 years, pastry artists in Highland Park have spent weeks crafting intricate gingerbread houses, carefully piping icing and adding candy details. All of this is in preparation for Highland Park Villages annual Gingerbread Stroll.
The Gingerbread Stroll has become a holiday tradition in Highland Park Village, featuring custom gingerbread houses by local bakeries, restaurants and pastry artists that runs every November 14th- 30th. Families all over the park cities come to Highland Park Village to experience the stroll by walking around the many businesses in the shopping center and looking through the store windows onto the gingerbread houses.
“It became a holiday tradition for my daughter and I, and it eventually grew into a charity that has raised more than $300,000,” Event founder Christine McKenney said.
Over the years, the Stroll has expanded to include longtime participants such as Bird Bakery, Bistro 31 and a mother-daughter design team led by Bradfield Elementary teacher Kristen Swaker.
“We try to go a little extra every year,” Brianna Darden, Bird Bakery manager, said. “This year’s Candyland and Grinch-inspired design took at least two days to finish.”
Proceeds from the stroll support Community Partners of Dallas, a nonprofit that provides emergency resources for children in protective care. Community Partners of Dallas use the donation from the stroll to meet urgent needs, including clothing, hygiene products, and safety items. The support makes it possible to assist children the moment they walk through the door.
“We serve kids who have had to come into protective care because something bad has happened in their lives,” CEO and President Joanna Clarke said. “Our emergency resource center, the Rainbow Room, provides everything from clothing and pajamas to diapers, formula and hygiene items.”
Community Partners of Dallas also operates the Night Response Unit, where children removed from unsafe homes overnight are brought for short term care. They also run the Crisis Program, which donates food and clothing to families in financial emergencies. This allows children to stay with their family instead of going into foster care. The funds raised from the stroll from sponsors and bids made on the gingerbread houses go directly to CPD.
“The resources ensure that children experience safety, comfort, and a sense of normalcy even during difficult transitions,” Clarke said.
The funds are raised through sponsors of the event as well as bids that are placed on the gingerbread houses. If they are the highest bidder, then they get to keep the gingerbread house for the holidays.
“We definitely love to give back, especially to the community, so that’s a huge reason why we wanted to participate,” Darden said.
As the gingerbread stroll grows, Community Partners of Dallas hope to continue to grow as well by supporting more children and inspiring more families to get involved.
“Our work relies on volunteer support, and every person who contributes helps us reach more children and meet more urgent needs,” Clarke said.
Through the collaboration of passionate organizers, dedicated businesses, and generous donors, the gingerbread stroll continues to bring holiday cheer while making a tangible difference in the lives of Dallas children.
“The creativity, the inspiration behind it, to be fully in tune with the magic of it is a huge takeaway I would like for all to have from seeing these gingerbread houses,” Darden said.
