The 24th annual Freeman-sponsored regional spelling bee takes place at 7 p.m. tonight at Ulster County Community College's Quimby Theater.

Fifteen of the four-county (Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia and Greene) area's finest young people will be on stage, vying for a place in the national competition in Washington later this spring.

It will be tense. It will be fun. It will be educational.

If you've never experienced this event, come on out. Admission is free.