Ella Lovvorn, an 8-year-old student at Lindsay Lane Christian Academy, is ready to become both an elf and a judge for another year. Lovvorn is the creator of Athens’ very own gingerbread house contest, fittingly named after her.

The Ella the Elf Gingerbread House Contest was first held in 2023 after Lovvorn bravely called the office of Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks and requested a meeting with him.

During their discussion, when Marks asked what Lovvorn thought the city was in desperate need of, she pitched the idea for a gingerbread house contest. She also added that the first-place winner should receive prize money and a special lava lamp.

“How do you say, ‘No,’ to that request?” Marks asked and answered, “You don’t.”

Lovvorn worked diligently with her family, the mayor’s office and Athens Arts League to kick off her inaugural contest in 2023. Now she’s ready for round two of the contest, which has been set for Saturday, Dec. 14, at 9 a.m., at the Athens Activity Center.

Lovvorn recently conducted a planning session with Marks and Athens Arts League President Holly Hollman to go over the details of the 2024 gingerbread house contest. One of the major changes this year — Lovvorn has decided she will not taste test all of the entries again.

“It was a little much, last year,” Lovvorn said.

Instead, the focus of this year’s contest will be on the appearance of the houses, along with creativity and structural integrity.

Lovvorn’s secret army of elves has been at work. Athens Arts League has agreed to organize the event, securing this year’s major sponsor — Impact Roofing.

Arts League Board Member Diane Lehr said Impact Roofing, “loved the idea of supporting a community event related to houses — gingerbread houses.” Impact Roofing’s sponsorship covered the cost of 24 gingerbread house kits and additional decorations and supplies for the event.

The city of Athens has also agreed to sponsor gift cards for the winners. There will be three age categories and prizes for first through third place winners:

— First Place: $50 gift card and a lava lamp, per Lovvorn’s request.

— Second Place: $25 gift card.

— Third Place: $15 gift card.

Lovvorn told Marks that she would like to return to judge this year’s event, and she also plans on inviting one of her friends to judge as well. She also selected Athens Fire Chief James Hand and Athens Mayor’s Youth Commissioner Cevahni McNeill as judges for the Ella the Elf Gingerbread House Contest.

Registration is limited to 24 entries. The entry fee is a new unwrapped toy that will be donated to the Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park Committee’s 27th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony where they giveaway toys to local kids in need — on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 5 p.m.

Ella the Elf Gingerbread Contest Details— Dec. 14 at the Athens Activity Center, 912 W. Pryor Street.

— Contest to start at 9 a.m. and end at 10 a.m.

— Judging to start at 10 a.m., and the winners will be announced as soon as the results are tallied.

— Can be a single entry or two kids per team; will be placed in the respective age category based on the oldest child.

— Link to print the form: https://al-athens.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/3028/Gingerbread-Contest-Registration-2024?bidId=

— Forms are also available at City Hall in the foyer.