BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - Montana’s state spelling bee has moved to Bozeman this year and will be held at Montana State University after more than a decade in Billings.
The announcement comes after the event’s main sponsor Lee Enterprises dropped out, creating an opening for another organization to take over, the Billings Gazette reported.
“After being a strong supporter of the bee for decades, we decided to give other organizations an opportunity to sponsor it,” said Dave Worstell, publisher of The Billings Gazette, which is owned by Lee Enterprises.
Montana Television Network picked up the spelling bee, which is owned and operated by the Scripps National Spelling Bee, event Director Matthew Henry said, adding that the network is comprised of nine stations statewide that are owned by the E.W. Scripps Company.
The Treasure State Spelling Bee is scheduled for March 14, and the winner will travel to Washington D.C. to compete in the national competition in May.
Prior to settling in Billings, the spelling bee rotated annually between Helena, Great Falls, Missoula, Billings and Bozeman.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.