WHEELING — The Friends of the Ohio County Library will host their second-annual Spelling Bee for Grown-Ups on Feb. 21 in the auditorium of the Ohio County Public Library.

Laura Jackson will serve as host and emcee of the event, along with disc jockey Jermaine Lucious.

The bee will include 10 teams competing for spelling prizes and prizes for best costume, according to organizers.

Pre-registered teams will be comprised of between two to six spellers, who will work collaboratively to determine the correct spelling of a given word. One designated team member will spell the team’s final answer. Those who are not interested in joining a spelling team are still permitted to purchase tickets to attend and cheer on friends or relatives taking part in the bee.

Audience members are encouraged to bring extra cash which will ultimately be used to help the team they are cheering on re-spell a missed word or to help support the public library.

The cost for teams to register is $100. Audience tickets can be purchased for $10. Each registration includes a year membership to the Friends of the Ohio County Public Library.

For tickets or to register, visit zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-spelling-bee-for-grown-ups

Charles Julian, president of the Friends of the Ohio County Library, shared his prediction for a productive event.

“We are delighted to reprise last year’s successful spelling bee for local, hopeful orthographists who are eager to win their bragging rights,” Julian commented. “But more importantly, they will have a fun time doing it — all while raising money for the Ohio County Public Library. Last year’s event raised nearly $3,000, which was donated to the library for the purchase of new furniture.”

The FOCPL is a group of dedicated volunteers who work to support the promotion, growth, development and successful usage of the Ohio County Public Library’s programs, services and resources to benefit all citizens of Ohio County and its surrounding areas.

For information, follow, like and subscribe to the group’s Facebook page or contact the FOCPL through e-mail at friends@ohiocountylibrary.org.