Galesburg will host its third competitive Scrabble Tournament, dubbed the “Double Decker,” on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14 at the Galesburg Community Arts Center, organizers announced. The two-day event, sanctioned by the Word Game Players’ Organization, has already drawn nearly 40 participants from across the United States, with more expected to register.
The tournament, co-directed by Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman and Darla Krejci, will feature two one-day rated competitions, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. A new highlight this year is live streaming by Let’s Play Scrabble, a leading online Scrabble content producer, available on YouTube at @letsplayscrabbledotcom. The stream will feature commentary by 2023 NASPA Scrabble Champion Josh Sokol and other special guests.
“We are very excited about the addition of the stream,” Schwartzman said. “Not only will we be able to share the amazing content of head-to-head Scrabble, but it will also enable us to introduce our great city to the viewing community.”
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The event is a collaboration between the organizers, the Galesburg Community Arts Center, and the Galesburg Tourism Bureau. Local sponsors, including AGES Community and G&M Distributors, are supporting the tournament, while downtown restaurants and stores are contributing discounts, prizes, and items for a welcome bag for players.
Krejci noted the community’s enthusiasm, saying, “We have been humbled by the overwhelming support of the downtown businesses. Players from our last two tournaments have commented on Galesburg’s hospitality.”
The tournament follows the success of Galesburg’s previous Scrabble events, which have drawn positive feedback from participants for the city’s welcoming atmosphere. Organizers hope the live stream and growing interest will further boost the event’s profile and showcase Galesburg’s charm.
For more information, contact Peter Schwartzman at drearth1@gmail.com or Darla Krejci at krejcidarla@gmail.com.
