BELLBROOK — The Bellbrook Sugarcreek Park District is holding its annual Christmas in the Park 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at Bellbrock Park.

The park district will kick off the festival with its park lighting ceremony to welcome Santa to the park. Local music groups will perform seasonal carols while kids meet with Santa. Free activities for children and families will include crafts, nature displays and gingerbread contest tents, as well as a hot drink station.

Featured during Christmas in the Park will be the 9th annual Gingerbread House Contest and donation drives. Entries for the gingerbread house contest need to be dropped off at Bellbrock Park 4-5 p.m. Dec. 9. The winners will be announced during the festival. Bring a canned good, or new or gently used winter wear to the Gingerbread House Contest tent and the Bellbrook Sugarcreek Family Resource Center will distribute items to local families in need. For each item donated, attendees will receive a raffle ticket to enter prize drawings donated by local businesses.

For more information on activities, the gingerbread house rules, and community service during the program, call 937-848-3535 or visit www.bellbrooksugarcreekparks.org.