History

Knott County, where the festival is held, is an Eastern Kentucky county that has always been a largely impoverished community. In the 40s and 50s, many did not have many to buy any “extras” when it came to food–only the essentials. Gingerbread, a half dessert and half loaf, mostly required ingredients everyone already had, so it was easy to make. Many Knott Countians involved in local politics would bring the gingerbread to polling places in hopes of potentially swaying a vote or two. It was each politician’s secret weapon. However, after a Kentucky law was passed that no campaigning could occur within 100 feet of a polling place, the gingerbread vote swaying was removed. 
Many counties were joining the Kentucky Festival Circuit and Knott County had yet to do so. Local officials were looking for a way to bring more tourism into the county and also community members a tradition that could last. Thus, the Gingerbread Festival was born.