2023 Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest
kalamazoo scrabble fest
On Saturday, August 5, 2023 the Kalamazoo Literacy Council hosted the 12th Kalamazoo SCRABBLE® Fest at the Radisson Plaza Hotel, to benefit adult literacy. Each year, players meet up for an exciting day of gaming to raise awareness and funds that directly serve adult learners across the region. Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest is the city’s only Scrabble tournament and is the KLC’s largest fundraiser!
Serving a need:
Literacy is a right that everyone deserves. But in Kalamazoo County, 25,000 people –1 in 8 adults — struggle to read, which means they are not able to apply for jobs, manage their health, or help their children learn. In fact, research shows that children of parents with low literacy levels have a 72% chance of being at the lowest reading levels themselves. The KLC provides FREE basic literacy services that empower adults to become more confident and capable parents, employees, and community members. Each year, we serve hundreds of native English speakers and English language learners with one-on-one tutoring and classes that strengthen reading, writing, spelling, and comprehension skills. 100% of funds raised for Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest positively impacts adult learners and their families, the volunteers that support them, and will help to further the KLC’s vision to make Kalamazoo County a fully literate community.
Participation in Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest is a fun and easy way to support adult literacy in the community. Ticket fee includes a commemorative tshirt, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and gaming materials.
Game play is three 45-minute 
rounds. Three-minute Cage Matches are played in between rounds. There were 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies for both the Competitive,Just For Fun, and Teams divisions. Game play follows the official Scrabble rules and uses the 7th edition of the Scrabble dictionary.
Thanks to all our sponsors and volunteers! This year, we were proud to offer free parking courtesy of our friends at Maple Hill Auto Group. We are also grateful to our volunteer word judges, timers, hosts, scorekeepers, and set up/clean up crew.
For questions about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, please contact Kito at (269) 382-0490 ext. 211 or [email protected].
2023 winners & Photos
CONGRATS to all of this year’s winners:
Competitive Division:
1st Place: *Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest Champion* Charles Armstrong
2nd Place: Matt Maynard
3rd Place: Karrie Bowe
Teams Division:
1st Place: Maple Hill Auto Group
2nd Place: Goodwill Industries
3rd Place: Kalamazoo Literacy Council
Just for Fun Division:
1st Place: Christine Quinn
2nd Place: Ann Rather
3rd Place: Allison Pruitt
Cage Match players:
Greg Baldino
Randy Kim
Anna Langerveld
Stephanie Giguere
Donate to the klc
Can’t attend Scrabble Fest but
still want to support the KLC? All gifts are welcomed and greatly appreciated. 100% of proceeds will directly benefit free adult literacy programs and services. Please use the button below to donate.
Thank you!
Donate direct to the KLC
Thank you to our financial and in-kind sponsors and partners!
- Keith and Julie Lewandowski
- Keith and Paula Aldridge
- Honorable Julie M. Rogers and Dr. Ed Orloff
- Douglas & Son, Inc.
- Balloons by Tecia (269) 344-2999
Kalamazoo Literacy Council is a member organization of ProLiteracy.