December 28, 1998

To visit a magical land where the trees are made from gumdrops and grass from icing, where the lamp posts are made of chocolate and the walkways are cobbled with fruit jellies and taffy, MGHers need only take a trip to Founders 4 where an eight-foot edible carnival scene is on display.

This elaborate and finely detailed gingerbread scene, called "Meet Me at the Fair," recently was purchased by the MGH Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology Service and soon will be moved to Vincent 1.

The confectionery gem is constructed from more than 300 pounds of gingerbread, 25 pounds of sugar, 40 pounds of marzipan, 20 colors of icing and hundreds of soft and hard candies. Its architects – instructors at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts – are Jan Schiff, wife of Isaac Schiff, MD, chief of the Vincent, and Debra Steinfeld. The duo worked for five weeks, a total of more than 500 hours, to design and build the display.

The carnival scene features a moving carousel with six horses, a turning Ferris wheel made from swizzle sticks and an arcade with fruit stands and game booths, such as the penny toss. The landscape includes grass made from five shades of green icing, 24-inch gumdrop pine trees, a candy-coated footbridge and a pond with swan boats. More than 60 marzipan bears bring the scene to life, selling fresh produce, baking bread, knitting, napping and even getting into mischief with a little too much wine and cheese.

The masterpiece made its debut at the Anthony Spinazzola Foundation's annual gingerbread contest held at the World Trade Center to benefit the homeless. "Meet Me at the Fair" won several awards, including Best of Show and Kid's Choice.