Families have the chance to break out of their turkey-induced comas Thanksgiving weekend and spend some family time being creative.

The third annual Gingerbread Workshop is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Coupeville Masonic Lodge on North Main Street.

The Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association started the free family event four years ago in partnership with The Whidbey Examiner and Coupeville Library’s Gingerbread Challenge and also as a way to help promote shop local.

Saturday is also Small Business Saturday.

“We’d love for families to come spend time with their families decorating and then go downtown and do some shopping,” said Vickie Chambers, executive director for the association.

Each family will get one gingerbread kit to decorate. There are also graham crackers for children to make individual houses. Decorating supplies are endless.

“We work really hard to make events free because the town gives so much back to us,” Chambers said.

Chambers recommends people plan at least an hour to complete their house. She also advises that families don’t have to show up right at 11 in fear they might run out of supplies.

“It’s always craziness when we open the doors,” she said. “We never run out of supplies.”

Last year an estimated 350 people attended.

Once gingerbread creations are complete, participants are invited to take them over to the library and submit them to the Gingerbread Challenge. Entries are accepted until Friday, Dec. 19.

The public is also invited to vote for their favorite.

Winners for youth, adult and people’s choice will be announced Sunday, Dec. 21, during the Red Ticket Drawing at 1 p.m. on the steps of the Island County Historical Museum.