Spellebration: A MasqueREAD bee!

Spellebration Returns! After a first-ever cancellation last year, Spellebration returns virtually.  The COVID-19 adjusted adult spelling bee and silent auction will kick off at 7:00 p.m. on April 30 2021.

Spellebration is a major fundraiser for Literacy Outreach and the Colorado Mountain College Learning Labs. Literacy Outreach serves all of Garfield County, offering one-on-one tutoring to basic literacy and English language learners. Many students move from Literacy Outreach to CMC, where the Learning Labs help prepare them to earn their high school diploma or pass an equivalent exam.

This year’s theme is MasqueREAD and we are playing COVID style. Instead of being eliminated for two spelling errors, the Zoom bee will have all teams attempt to

spell all words. Words are weighted according to difficulty. The team which accumulates the most points will be declared Garfield County Spelling Champions.

As always, spectators are urged to join in on the fun, though this year their participation, too, will be virtual. Two Rivers Productions will live-stream the event on Facebook and YouTube for the audience. The costume contest, a much-loved component of the Spellebration experience, will be modified to a best mask competition, suitable for the times.

Spellebration always included the largest and most diverse auction in the county. Watch for online bidding fun in the days just before and after the April 30 spelling competition.

Spellebration teams may sign up before April 26^th. Teams are limited so sign up today! The fee is $100 per team, which may be paid by the team or by a sponsoring business or organization. For more information or to sign up a team, contact Rachel Baiyor at Literacy Outreach 970-945-5282 or programs@literacyoutreach.org.