VALLEY —If there were any gingerbread men or women looking for real estate Saturday afternoon in Valley, they were in luck.

Several families were out Saturday afternoon in the Jackson Heating and Air tent designing gingerbread, thanks to the Valley Parks and Recreation Department. Families paid $5 to decorate premade gingerbread houses any way they wanted.

“We made the gingerbread houses beforehand and then we provided them with a variety of candies, cereal and all things of stuff,” Valley Parks and Recreation Director Laurie Blount said. “Then they take them home and they’re edible.”

She said many people pre-registered to make houses, which was preferable so she knew how many to make, but she made a few extra in case of walk-ins.

“I grew up doing this as a kid, so I thought why not let not put this on to let other people do it,” she said.

Blount said 12 people pre-registered and there were three walk-ins, all before 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Tacey Blakeney brought her children Brayden, Ella Kate and Emma Grace from Seale, along with a friend’s child, Charleigh Spivey of Phenix City to decorate gingerbread houses.

“I’ve been saying every year that I wanted to come out and decorate gingerbread houses, so we decided to make a day of it,” Tracey Blakeney said.

A group of eight took over an entire table Saturday, each with their owner gingerbread house. Melissa Pitchford, along with Skyler, Amyee, Dennis and Jonathan, joined Brody, Rachelle and Cameron Fawley at the tent.

Melissa Pitchford said they just wanted to get together with the family and do something fun.

“We don’t get out a lot due to work, school and other things in life,” she said. “So, we thought it would be good to get out and do something as a family.”

The Merry Go Round in Valley was also a busy scene Saturday afternoon as the weather finally allowed for people to come out and enjoy it.

“Most people haven’t been able to come,” Blount said. “So, the weather is a plus.”

Inflatables and photos at the Merry Go Round were also available for a small fee, but to ride the carousel is always free, Blount said. She added that anything that costs money at the venue goes back into the Merry Go Round for maintenance and to improve it for the following year.

The Merry Go Round will run until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.