South Bend, Ind. -- 'Tis the season for Gingerbread houses and the entries in Downtown South Bend's (DTSB) Gingerbread Village Competition did not disappoint.

At an awards ceremony last week prizes were awarded in five categories: non-professional child, non-professional family/group, nonprofessional adult, professional adult, and people’s choice.

The people’s choice winner was chosen through public voting from Dec. 1-15 at the Courtyard by Marriott lobby in downtown South Bend, where the entries are on display.

Judges included Courtyard by Marriott staff, Amy Klingler and Diana Palomo – owners of The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery who are artists and bakers, and Chef Kevin Stantz - Gingerbread Village Competition veteran.

Entries will be on display through Christmas Eve.

Prizes were awarded to the following entries:

Non-professional child category: 1st – Emma Buszkiewicz, 2nd – Keziah Metz, 3rd – Heath Family

Non-professional family/group category: 1st – Sadie & Eli Chapman, 2nd – Faye, Nektaria, and Clyde, 3rd – Days Ave

Non-professional adult category: 1st - Deb Neumann, 2nd – Sarah Cronk, 3rd – Neil Robbins

Professional adult category: 1st – Lu Scarborough

People’s choice category: 1st – Deb Neumann, 2nd - Emma Buszkiewicz, 3rd – Sarah Cronk

DTSB hosts the Gingerbread Village Competition each year, with applications due in early December. For more information on the Gingerbread Village Competition, visit downtownsouthbend.com/gingerbread-village.