Columbia Spells Adult Spelling Bee Returns This Weekend

Kick off the new year and get ready for F-U-N at Columbia Spells-The Midland's hottest new event featuring a competitive spelling bee for adults 21 and older. In the second annual adults-only fundraiser for Columbia Children's Theatre, teams of three will compete for the championship title, trophies, and prizes from area merchants. Audience members can cheer-and maybe buy advantages-for their favorite team. All the action takes place at the Lourie Center at 1650 Park Circle, on Saturday, January 23, from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Advance tickets are available at columbiaspells.com.

About the Event

The adults-only event offers a fun new twist on traditional spelling bees: Instead of individual competitors, teams of three compete in elimination rounds. The teams in each round will all spell the same word secretly on a dry-erase board. After two incorrect spellings, the team is eliminated. The winner of each round will advance to the semi-finals until only two teams remain for the finals. Each team will have the opportunity to purchase one lifeline to avoid elimination. Prizes will not only be given for First, Second, and Third Places, but teams can be awarded other prizes including Best Costumes, Audience Favorite, and Best Theme.

Last year's winners-The Bee-Dazzlers-will be returning to defend their title from 11 other teams including the Spellbinders, The Queen Bees, The BooBees, MisBeehaving, Mike Kelly's Worker Bees, 99 Problems But a Bee Ain't One, The Punny Hots, the 595.79s (the Dewey Decimal number for bees),The Scarlet Letters, and UnicornSlaughterhouseDeathMatch.

A panel of local celebrity judges including Cindi Boiter, Eric Bultman, and Michael Miller will make the big decisions. Legendary man about town and Rockafella's founder, Scott Padgett will keep the evening buzzing along as Master of Ceremonies.

And speaking of buzz, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available featuring beer, wine, and a signature shot-the Stinger, which was a crowd favorite last year!

The event is sponsored by R. Leon Jones Insurance, Hunter-Gatherer, Jim Hudson Automotive Group, and Art4Money.

Teams of three can register for only $100, and audience tickets are available for only $15. Team registrations and general admission tickets are available at columbiaspells.com.

Columbia Children's Theatre is a professional resident not-for-profit theatre dedicated to providing quality live theatre experiences for families and young audiences, and is supported in part by the City of Forest Acres, The Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties and the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.