SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - "In the Land of Sugar & Seuss" is the theme for the baked goods at the Springfield Museums' 14th annual Gingerbread Exhibition.

"This year we chose to pull from Dr. Seuss of course," said Springfield Museums director of education Larissa Murray. "In support of our Dr. Seuss Museum and 'The Grinch's Grotto' experience that we have here, and invited families, professional bakers, adults to create an exhibit based on their favorite Seuss-themed character or story. We also have a few traditional gingerbread displays as well."

Murray said nearly 40 bakers, several of which are returning volunteers, participated this year, with each one having their own unique recipe featured at the museum.

"The bakers are coming from the region and some as far as, actually this display I'm standing next to, she is actually from New Hampshire," Murray said. "So she brings a display down from New Hampshire every year. A lot of bakers from Springfield too."

Murray said the museum will choose a different theme every year in order to keep the experience fresh for visitors as well as bakers. She said the craftsmanship of the gingerbread designs do have to be made differently than ones people would normally bake to eat.

"It's important if you're going to participate, is to look up how to make royal icing because that hardens like cement, and to find a construction gingerbread recipe, because if you're making gingerbread cookies, those are going to be soft for eating," Murray said. "You need to look into a construction gingerbread recipe which tends to be much more solid."

Murray said the gingerbread exhibit is the highlight of the year for many patrons and said the display of the sweet treats is also a great way of celebrating the holiday season with the community.

"I'd say it's really just an exhibit about celebrating our community," she said. "Because it wouldn't be possible without our community and about finding the joy in the holidays through a traditional thing like gingerbread that we manage to reinvent every year."

The gingerbread exhibit will run through Sunday, Dec. 31.