LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Gingerbread houses are a big money maker for one Lawrence charity.

The Lawrence Journal-World  reports that the 20th annual Gingerbread Festival and Auction kicks off Thursday night at Abe & Jake’s Landing. That’s when the top 15 of more than 100 gingerbread houses will be auctioned off to benefit the area’s Big Brothers Big Sisters’ chapter.

Area director Stacie Salverson-Schroeder says some of the best houses can pull in around $2,000 each. All told, the creations usually raise about $40,000.

This year’s entries will include an alpine cottage-style house, a diorama featuring three scenes from “The Wizard of Oz” and a 30-pound edible dwelling partly inspired by the real-life Carson Mansion in Eureka, California.

The houses will be on display to the public Saturday and Sunday.