Groups want to Spellebrate with city

You don’t have to be a spelling champ to attend the United Way of Greater Lorain County and HandsOn Northeast Ohio’s joint fundraiser, Spellebrate Lorain County: A Night At The Bee.

Spellebrate runs from 6-9:30 p.m., June 22, at the Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Drive in Avon.

The spelling bee is a fun and informal event with a unique twist, where onlookers can win too, according to a news release.

Spectators can affiliate themselves with a team in the competition and can win a raffle if that team wins the spelling bee contest, the release said.

Teams of four will compete to win a $1,000 grand prize and advance on their merit. However, viewers can help influence the outcome of the game by saving their favorite teams from elimination to keep their own chances of winning alive, according to the release.

The evening also will include sideboards and a silent auction featuring prizes and packages from Lorain County businesses.

The spelling bee is presented by the Nordson Corporation in support of the Lorain County Volunteer Connection, the release said.

All proceeds from the event will go toward supplies for ongoing volunteer projects and will allow local agencies to get more work done through the Lorain County Volunteer Connection.

“We set out to have a unique event that is a lot of fun, and based on all of the feedback, I think we’ve done that,” said Ryan Aroney, United Way of Greater Lorain County’s marketing and development director. “This is our second year and the event just continues to grow.

“We hope to have another enthusiastic crowd out this year to support our volunteer efforts in Lorain County and to have a great time.”

Super Dave Andrews of WOBL Gold Country radio will serve a master of ceremonies for Spellebrate. Bruce VanDyke of AM 930 WEOL radio will serve as official pronouncer of the spelling bee.

The evening also will feature music and entertainment from DJ Jeff Edwards of Just Dreaming Entertainment, the release said.

Individual tickets are $30 and include dinner and a drink ticket. Registration for a team of four is $200, which includes dinner and a drink ticket for all four team members.

Team registration is available through June 12.

Tickets and registration are available at www.spellebrate.eventbrite.com or by calling the United Way office at 440277-6530.