Gingerbread houses and hidden pickle contest lure Bloomingdale holiday shoppers

This holiday season, the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce is offering two free, family-friendly activities designed to reward participants while helping local businesses attract new customers and giving back to the community.

Parade of Gingerbread Houses

The annual Parade of Gingerbread Houses is returning to bring holiday spirit to the community. Local businesses decorate a gingerbread house and display it alongside a ballot box for public voting.

Voters are encouraged to place a donation in the ballot box to vote for their favorite house. The business that collects the most donations wins. The chamber will present all the money donated to St. Isidore Catholic Church’s PADS program for the homeless.

Visitors receive a stamp on a map for each house they visit. Maps can be submitted to the chamber for a chance to win $200, with each stamp counting as one entry. No purchase is necessary, and completed maps will double the chances of winning.

Maps can be downloaded from BloomingdaleHolidays.com or picked up from participating businesses. A complete list of businesses is available on the website.

“This program is a marketing trifecta for our members,” said chamber president Cindy Allston. “It drives potential customers to their doors, focuses on shopping local for the holidays, and gives back to the community with the donation to St. Isidore. The bonus is that one lucky participant wins $200. Businesses also tell us that the house decorating itself is a great team-building and morale booster.”

New this year

The chamber is hosting a new Gingerbread Village during their open house on Saturday, Nov. 29, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. This event coincides with the village’s Tree Lighting, Kris Kringle Market and Festival of Lights being held in Old Town Bloomingdale on Third Street.

Stop by the chamber’s open house for refreshments, free gifts (while supplies last), and to view the new Gingerbread Village and vote for your favorite house.

The Hidden Pickle Contest

Holiday Trees in Old Town Bloomingdale is also a free activity with multiple prizes. Chamber members decorate a tree and receive a sign in front of their sponsored tree, which is especially helpful for smaller businesses to access a wider audience.

Be the first to find the hidden pickle in one of the trees. Email your picture to contest@BloomingdaleChamber.com to win a gift card donated by participating businesses. The pickle won’t be staying in same place so there are multiple chances to win.

Trees will be up Nov. 29 to Jan. 9. Complete rules and a listing of the businesses are available at BloomingdaleHolidays.com.

Join in these holiday promotions and support local businesses who continue to invest in the community.