A Time-Honored Election Day celebration returns with Election Day Cake Virtual Contest at Connecticut’s Old State House

Hartford, Conn – In the days following the American Revolution, Election Day was treated as a national holiday, sacred to voters and citizens alike.  And like every major holiday celebration, it had its own special food to mark the occasion.  Election Day may have changed, but the Connecticut Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House is keeping one tradition alive with its second annual Election Day Cake Virtual Contest, beginning in September.

Election Day Cakes are traditionally naturally-leavened, heavily spiced cakes served on Election Day and were often even brought to polling places.  For the Old State House’s contest, entrants can follow a traditional Election Day Cake recipe or use one of their own. (you can find a traditional recipe courtesy of the Connecticut State Historian here.)  Due to COVID safety, judges won’t be tasting the cakes, so the competition is on decorating alone.  Old State House social media encourages entrants to, “Make a cake that you would love to eat on Election Day – one that looks as good as it tastes, celebrates elections and inspires voting!”

Additionally, the following rules are posted for the contest, which is open to all ages:

1. Bake a cake and decorate it in a way that celebrates voting and inspires people to vote on November 2nd.
2. The cake MUST be non-partisan.
3. Cakes that promote an issue, party, or person will be disqualified.
4. Submit no more than three pictures of your cake. One photo must be of the entire cake either from above or at an angle.
5. Send your submission to ctdemocracycenter@gmail.com by 5pm on Monday, October 25, 2021.
6. Only one submission per person is permitted.

Aspiring election bakers can learn more by following Connecticut’s Old State House on Facebook, Instagram (@CTOldStateHouse) or Twitter (@CTOldStateHouse) or opting into their email list at ctoldstatehouse.org.  Cake entries will be accepted until 5pm on Monday, October 25^th with winners and prizes announced on Monday, November 1^st.  This is a 100% virtual event with no in-person component.

Located in historic downtown Hartford at 800 Main St., Connecticut’s Old State House served as a seat of government for the Constitution State from 1796 to 1878. Today, this restored historic State Capitol also serves as a museum and the Greater Hartford Information Center and is managed as a public-private partnership between the Connecticut General Assembly and the Connecticut Democracy Center.   For more information about Connecticut’s Old State House, virtual school programs, and upcoming online and in-person events, follow Connecticut’s Old State House on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and visit the museum’s website at ctoldstatehouse.org.

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