The 24th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza gets new home in Springfield
For Immediate Release
Jacksonville, FL, July 20, 2026 – The 24th Annual Gingerbread Extravaganza will enjoy a new
location and a new team of volunteers as the torch is officially passed from the Jacksonville
History Center to the Historic Springfield Society on Saturday, July 25, at its Christmas in July
event.
The Historic Springfield Society’s venue, a former Presbyterian church built ca. 1907, is
reminiscent of the Gingerbread Extravaganza’s venue at Old St. Andrew’s Church from 2007 to
2024. “Our board of directors unanimously support taking on this time-honored holiday event,”
said Jeff Gardner, president of the HSS board.
The Gingerbread Extravaganza began in 2003 as a fundraising event by the Rotary Club
of South Jacksonville, which allocated those first proceeds to the Ronald McDonald House. The
Gingerbread Extravaganza raised about $1 million over eight years, supporting 30 charities
before management of the event was turned over to the then Jacksonville Historical Society in
2011. The 15th and final year under the Jacksonville History Center was held at the newlyrenovated former Florida Casket Company building.
“As the Jacksonville History Center allocates its energies and resources to the upcoming
museum on its Palmetto Street campus, it made sense to turn this annual holiday event over to
another history-minded nonprofit,” said Alan J. Bliss, CEO, Jacksonville History Center. “We
couldn’t think of a better fit in the Historic Springfield Society.”
Media are welcome to cover the passing of the gingerbread torch on Saturday, July 25 at
5:30 p.m., at Historic Springfield Society, 210 W. 7th Street.
For more information about this topic, contact Kathea Bryan, (601) 331-2379,
dkcbryan@gmail.com at Historic Springfield Society or Kate Hallock, (904) 665-0064,
communications@jaxhistory.org, Jacksonville History Center.
# # #
Photos
Gingerbread Extravaganza: Gingerbread creations on display at the 9th Annual Gingerbread
Extravaganza in 2011, the first year under Jacksonville Historical Society management.
Historic Springfield Society_July206: New venue for the annual Gingerbread Extravaganza:
Historic Springfield Society, 210 W. 7th Street.
About the Historic Springfield Society
The Historic Springfield Society was originally formed over 120 years ago as the?Springfield
Improvement Association?(SIA); after several name changes over the years, the organization was
re-established at the Historic Springfield Society in May 2024. The all-volunteer nonprofit’s
mission is “Enhancing the quality of life in Historic Springfield through beautifying its public
spaces, providing volunteer service, and educating the community, while preserving its history
and bringing community members together in engaged ways.”
About The Jacksonville History Center
The Jacksonville Historical Society (dba Jacksonville History Center), established in 1929,
is located in the Sports & Entertainment District and is composed of four historic structures –
Old St. Luke’s Hospital, Old St. Andrew’s Church, the James E. Merrill House Museum, and the
Florida Casket Company Building. The Jacksonville History Center will be a local educational
destination, a unique and engaging special events venue, and a must-experience cultural
attraction for visitors to the region