October 13, 2010
Forget about DC Cupcakes on TLC or Food Network’s Cupcake Wars. THE place to be on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 was the Calvert Library in Prince Frederick where 37 tweens (grades 5-7) from Southern Maryland gathered to compete in a cupcake decorating contest sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
The smell of freshly baked cupcakes filled the air of the Calvert Library as librarians baked over 200 cupcakes for the event. Janice Kuhn, “The Fat Fairy” from Fairyland Bakery, provided many of the toppings for the cupcakes.
Tweens competed against each other in groups ranging from solo decorators to teams of 3. Each group was tasked to plan and create cupcakes that met different criteria, including most creative and best use of cupcake toppings, which included frosting, candies, pretzel sticks, cereal, and sprinkles. One of the most memorable cupcakes looked just like a hamburger, complete with a “seeded” roll.
Calvert Library staff served as judges for the contest. To the contestants, winning wasn’t the primary motivation. They wanted the chance to show their creativity and then enjoy eating their creations. “We like sweets” one of the tweens commented as she smiled and rubbed her tummy.
Beverly Izzi, Children’s Coordinator, was pleased with the large turnout and said the library plans to offer a Tween Cupcake Showdown in the fall of 2011.
