The Gingerbread Tour is a holiday shopping tradition that’s been going on in Jefferson and Clarion counties the since the early 2000s, and it takes place next weekend.

It’s an exclusive tour of 15 businesses between Leeper and Brookville that hold open houses for holiday shoppers.

Heather Reynolds, owner of Reynolds Primitive Decor and More, said she’s waited five years to be part of the tour.

“We just kept praying, kept our fingers crossed and it happened,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds said business owners can’t apply for the Gingerbread tour until there’s a vacancy, so when a spot opened, she decided to apply, and it paid off.

“We feel so blessed, my husband and I are absolutely excited, and all our vendors are excited because not only is this an opportunity for us, it’s an opportunity for all our artisans too,” she said.

Just down the street from Reynolds is another stop along the route: Brookville Flower Shop.

Owner Brandy Carrier said the shop’s been on the tour for 3 years, and it brings in people she normally wouldn’t see.

“Most of my business is over the phone, being a flower shop,” Carrier said. “So it’s really nice to have people in, and looking at all my hard work and admiring it.”

The tour spans 20 miles between Leeper in Clarion County to Brookville in Jefferson County. 

It kicks off Friday at 10 a.m. and goes through the weekend, ending Sunday at 5 p.m.