SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Downtown South Bend Inc. (DTSB) announced it will offer several ways to get involved with their “Downtown for the Holidays” series of programming and events, including the Gingerbread Village Competition, the Holiday Light Parade, or the DTSB Festival of Trees.

Organizers invite bakers of all ages and skill levels to enter Santa’s Gingerbread Village Competition by submitting a handmade gingerbread house.

The deadline for entering is Wednesday, Dec. 4. Registration is free and can be completed here.

Entries should be dropped off, fully assembled, to the downtown Courtyard by Marriott lobby on Dec. 4 and 5, where they will be publicly displayed from Dec. 6 to the 24.

Organizers say prizes will be awarded in five categories, including non-professional child, 18 and under, non-professional adult, non-professional family or group, professional, individual or group, and people’s choice.

The award ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on Dec. 14, at the Courtyard by Marriott.

Entries will be judged on originality, design, craftsmanship, degree of difficulty and overall appearance.

The DTSB Holiday Light Parade will take place on Jefferson Boulevard on Friday, Dec. 13 from 7 to 7:45 p.m.

Community members, local organizations and businesses can apply online to have an entry in the parade. The parade consists of lighted holiday-themed floats and walking units.

The application deadline is Dec. 5.

Local individuals, businesses, and organizations are also invited to sponsor and decorate a downtown tree as part of the DTSB Festival of Trees.

The festival will feature a combination of artificial trees and holiday plants located in downtown flower bowls.

The cost for sponsorship is $100 and helps fund DTSB’s "Downtown for the Holidays" programming including the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Holiday Light Parade, and visits with Santa.

You can find more information on tree sponsorship and to fill out registration here.