Were you T-O-P of your C-L-A-S-S when it came to spelling? Do you keep a dictionary on your bedside table in case of emergencies? Do you enjoy watching other people stumble over “chrysanthemum” in front of a crowd?

Gunnison County Libraries invite you to the first annual Adult Spelling Bee on Friday, June 27 at 6 pm.

*PRIZES, MUSIC, BRAGGING RIGHTS, FUN & FRIENDLY COMPETITION*

Gunnison County community members, over the age of 18, are invited to compete as an individual, or as a representative from their workplace or organization. Individuals can register online here, or at the library. Pre-registration is required, there is no charge to register. Individuals must be 18+ to participate in the Bee (consideration will be made for teens who wish to participate). The event is free and open to the public. The Spelling Bee begins promptly at 6 p.m. Registration opens on Friday, May 23 and closes on Friday, June 13, 2025 or when full.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

BEE RULES:

This is a single elimination spelling bee. Eliminated participants are encouraged to hang around and support the other spellers still competing for bragging rights.

1. 1. No smart phones or other aids allowed.
   2. No appealing to audience members for help.
   3. Any participant caught using illegal aids or soliciting outside help in any way will be disqualified.
   4. Players may at any time ask for a word’s part of speech, language of origin, definition, and/or an example sentence. 
   5. The spelling bee is conducted in rounds. Each speller remaining in the spelling bee at the start of a round spells one word in each round.
   6. Spellers will be provided a word, and can request its definition and a sentence featuring the word. You can also ask about word origin or parts of speech.
   7. Spellers will have 60 seconds to spell their word. To confirm that you have completed the spelling of your word please use the usual spelling bee convention of “word, w-o-r-d, word.” You will not be penalized for not doing so, but it’s good form.
   8. The way a speller spells their word out loud for the first time is their final answer. You can’t change letters you’ve already said out loud. Please speak loudly and clearly so the judge can hear you correctly.
   9. Spellers will be eliminated for misspelling a word or if they do not provide a complete spelling before their time expires.
   10. If a word is misspelled it will be retired and a new word will be given to the next speller.
   11. The judges’ rulings are final.

At the Adult Spelling Bee, we strive to set minds at ease with three fun twists. Participants can use each of these options ONE TIME throughout the competition. 

1. Spellers can politely decline one word (must spell next word on list)
2. Spellers can “phone a friend” (ask an audience member) for help spelling a word
3. Spellers can use a pen and paper to write out the word, instead of relying only on visual memory