Photography

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

"Aladdin's Magical Castle" by Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties is one of the entries in the 20th annual Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel Monday, November 19, 2012. This year's theme is "Once Upon a Time," and the village will be on display 24 hours a day through New Year's Day. Visitors will be admitted for free but are encouraged to donate to type 1 diabetes research through the JDRF Northwest Chapter, which has benefited from more than half a million dollars in donations in the past 19 years.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

One of Santa's elves (several local children with type 1 diabetes who worked with volunteers and architects in designing and building the elaborate gingerbread houses) was the official ribbon cutter on Monday for the unveiling of the 20th annual Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. This year's theme is "Once Upon a Time," and the village will be on display 24 hours a day through New Year's Day. Visitors will be admitted for free but are encouraged to donate to type 1 diabetes research through the JDRF Northwest Chapter, which has benefited from more than half a million dollars in donations in the past 19 years.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Mayor Mike McGinn, at right, applauds with Lianna Neyens, of Mount Vernon, dressed as Beauty, and Sydney Noel of Marysville, in mermaid attire, during a proclamation ceremony and preview of the Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel Monday, November 19, 2012.

BETTINA HANSEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Ursula's lair hides in the back of "Ariel's Underwater Castle" by Callison, one of the entries in the 20th annual Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel Monday, November 19, 2012.