Competition History
From Four Bridges to a Sweet Tradition!
What started as a little holiday fun in 2006 has grown into an annual tradition that brings together students, engineers, architects, and creative minds to see just how strong a gingerbread bridge can be!
The Gingerbread Bridge Competition began in 2006 at Ascent Group’s annual holiday party, where just four bridges competed for bragging rights. Principal Lee Winkler took home both the Structural and Architectural awards with a bridge that proved gingerbread could be more than just a holiday treat!
In 2007, the rules received an upgrade, with structural efficiency taking priority over pure strength. Project Engineer Chris Krauss shattered expectations with a bridge that supported approximately 137 pounds! That’s 50 pounds of sand, a 12-pack of Mountain Dew, two chairs, a pineapple, and more! Meanwhile, Project Engineer Logan Miller claimed the Architectural award with his impressive rendition of the McCaslin Boulevard bridge at Highway 36.
By 2008, things started to get serious. Bridge spans increased, teams were introduced, and local architects and engineers were invited to join the fun. Ascent Group put its gingerbread expertise to good use and claimed the Structural award, while Terra Verde took home the Architectural award with a beautiful partially covered bridge.
Then came 2009, the year the competition really took off! Ten teams of architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, geotechnical engineers, and students brought their best designs to the table. The competition was tougher than ever, and Ascent Group’s structural title was finally up for grabs!
From Four Bridges to 200 Participants!
What started with just four bridges at a holiday party has grown into an event that brings together approximately 200 students, educators, engineers, and volunteers each year! With more than 30 teams from schools across Colorado, the competition has come a long way from its humble beginnings.
Today, the event is about much more than who can build the strongest gingerbread bridge. It’s a chance for students to get creative, put their ideas to the test, and experience structural engineering in a fun and unique way. Thanks to the support of our sponsors, volunteers, and the structural engineering community, the competition continues to provide students with an opportunity to explore the profession, meet industry professionals, and, of course, see some gingerbread bridges hold an unbelievable amount of weight!
From four bridges to hundreds of participants, one thing hasn’t changed: we’re still amazed at what a little gingerbread and creativity can accomplish!
A Tradition That Continues Today!
What began as a friendly holiday competition has become an opportunity to bring students, educators, and industry professionals together through creativity, teamwork, and a shared appreciation for structural engineering.
Today, the competition continues to challenge participants to push the limits of gingerbread bridge design while introducing students to the creativity and problem-solving skills that make structural engineering such an exciting profession.
And after all these years, one question remains: Just how much weight can a gingerbread bridge hold?
Check out the Competition Results to see how the bridges have performed over the years!