Saturday, August 30, 2025
Columbia Hall (Creative living)
At the Oregon State Fair!
Kid’s Division (0-12): 2PM
Teen Division (13-17): 2:45PM
Adult Division (18+): 3:15PM
Adult/Teen Official Rules & Guidelines
1. Eligibility
- Contestants must be registered in advance on the day of the event as permitted by fair organizers.
- Each contestant may compete only once in the competition.
- Age categories (if applicable) will be announced in advance and contestants must compete within their assigned group
- The competition will proceed in rounds.
- In each round, contestants will be called in order and given one word to spell aloud.
- If the contestant spells the word correctly, they advance to the next round.
- If the contestant spells the word incorrectly, they are eliminated from the competition.
- Rounds continue until only one contestant remains. That contestant will be declared the winner.
- After 3 ties, we call it a tie
- The Emcee will say the word clearly and may repeat it upon request.
- Contestants may:
- Ask for the word to be repeated.
- Ask for the definition.
- Ask for the word to be used in a sentence.
- Ask for the part of speech.
- The Pronouncer may not provide hints beyond the approved dictionary definition and pronunciation
- Contestants must begin spelling within 30 seconds of receiving the word.
- Contestants must pronounce each letter clearly and in order.
- Contestants may start over once, but they must not change the letters already stated.
- Contestants may request repetition or clarification until the 30-second limit expires.
- Contestants must face the judges or microphone while spelling
- A panel of judges will monitor and record correctness of spelling.
- The decision of the judges is final.
- Judges will disqualify a contestant if rules are violated, including exceeding the time limit or changing letters after restarting.
- The official word list provided by the Spelling Bee Committee will serve as the sole authority.
- A contestant who misspells a word is eliminated.
- If all contestants in a round misspell their words, those contestants remain in the competition for the next round.
- When two contestants remain:
- If one misspells a word, the other must spell that same word correctly and then spell an additional word correctly to win.
- If both misspell, they continue with new words until a winner is determined.
- The top three contestants will receive recognition (trophies, ribbons, or certificates).
- All contestants will receive a certificate of participation.
- Contestants and audience members must remain respectful and quiet during the competition.
- Disruptions or coaching from the audience will result in disqualification of the associated contestant.
- Photography and recording are allowed as long as they do not interfere with proceedings.
- Contestants must follow all state fair guidelines and policies in addition to these rules.
- Contestants should arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled competition time for check-in.
Children’s Rules
🐝 Young Leaders Spelling Bee at the Fair
✅ Getting Ready
✅ Getting Ready
- Everyone spells one word at a time.
- If you spell it right, you stay in the game!
- If you miss it, you sit out… until we find our winner.
- The pronouncer will say your word clearly.
- You can ask:
- “Can you say it again?”
- “What does it mean?”
- “Can you use it in a sentence?”
- “What part of speech is it?”
- You have 30 seconds to start spelling.
- Say the letters clearly, one by one.
- You may start over once, but you can’t change letters you already said.
- Face the judges or the microphone so everyone can hear you
- If only two players are left:
- One misspells → the other must spell it right and spell one more word to win.
- Everyone gets a certificate.
- Top spellers get special prizes! 🎉
- Be kind and respectful.
- No help from the audience, please!
- Cheer for all spellers — everyone’s a winner for being brave enough to try.