The world’s largest Christmas village, with more than 1,200 tiny edible buildings, will appear later this month at Van Buren’s Christmas in July festival.
Gingerbread Lane, created by Jon Lovitch of New York, was first dubbed by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest gingerbread village in 2013.
Christmas in July is Van Buren’s largest annual event, bringing in hundreds of guests each year. The festival began in 2023 and arose from the town’s former nickname “Christmas Town,” which it got in the 1950s because of its downtown packed with shops.
“We are very excited to have Gingerbread Lane join us this year and we hope that everyone participates to make a gingerbread house,” event organizer Leslie Beaulieu said.
Beaulieu said Lovitch learned about Van Buren’s summer event through social media and approached the town about being part of it.
Lovitch, who topped his own record four years in a row, spends all year planning, baking and decorating, according to his website. His work has appeared all over the country and drawn national media attention.
Van Buren’s festival lasts three days, but its primary festivities will take place on Saturday, July 25, at the town’s boat landing. Children will be invited to make gingerbread houses from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Another new addition for young people this year will be a water slide connected to one of the bounce houses.
Beaulieu belongs to the Van Buren Revitalization Association, a group of about 14 people who focus on renewal and also work behind the scenes to put the festival together.
About 20 vendors are expected to set up booths this year, she said.
Several musical guests are also slated to perform on July 25. The Nadeau Brothers will play from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Karaoke with Chris Maldonado is set from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and French Toast will play from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The festivities will kick off on Friday, July 24, with the Austin West memorial scholarship Glow Run and a cornhole tournament. The event will wrap up on Sunday morning with an 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. breakfast at the town’s Acadian Village.
“[The revitalization association] is very happy to offer this event year after year,” Beaulieu said. “We appreciate all of the vendors and booths who join us to make the day a wonderful one.”
