For the first time in its 23-year history, the Benicia Public Library Trivia Bee has attracted 19 teams that will compete against each other in answering questions about Benicia, general topics and this year’s theme, “The Maltese Falcon.”

Tickets to the popular event have gone on sale at the Benicia Public Library and its website, and no tickets will be sold at the door, Outreach/Volunteer Coordinator Helaine Bowles said.

She has some theories why the fun-filled event has attracted more participants this year than the average of 15 or 16 teams that have entered in the past.

On one hand, she and others pressured local civic clubs to enter the contest. The friendly arm-twisting paid off — Kiwanis Club has fielded its first team, the Lions Club has entered two teams, and once again the Rotary Club has returned to play, Bowles said.

Another reason more teams have entered may be this year’s theme, the detective book written by Dashiell Hammett and the popular classic film that featured Humphrey Bogart as the lead character, Sam Spade.

Benicia Reads, a program through which the entire city was encouraged to read the suspense novel, also boosted awareness. The theme even continued to the “48-hour” film contest for which aspiring Spielbergs of all ages are given three mandatory key elements and 48 hours to film and edit a maximum five-minute movie and compete for a prize.

For the first time, that contest was tied to the event theme and scheduled as one of the events that culminates in the Trivia Bee.

The theme has carried over to a couple of teams, too — one of which punned the book’s title with its own name, “The Molting Falcon.”

“Three Guys Named Gutman,” and “Tom Campbell and the Amazons” also picked humorous monikers, though the rest simply went with names that identified their organization, business or organizer.

Others in the contest include the Mystery Book Club, the Soroptimists, Friends of the Library, Library Foundation, Valero, BPSEA, the Benicia Yacht Club, the two Lions Club teams, the new Kiwanis team, The Rellick Tavern, Griffin Fitness, Carquinez Dental Group, Rotary and City Manager Brad Kilger’s team.

Returning this year to defend its title is Gizzi and Reep, the legal firm’s team that won the 2013 Trivia Bee, when the theme was “Pirates of the Carquinez.”

Unlike past contests, when few of the trivia questions focused on the theme, about a third of this year’s questions will have something to do with “The Maltese Falcon,” Bowles said.

But the teams also must answer questions about Benicia’s history as well as those on general history, literature, popular culture and other topics.

“Costuming is encouraged!” Bowles said.

In fact, she said, artist Patty Gavin will judge those who dress for the occasion.

Also encouraged: audience cheering.

“The audience can heckle,” Bowles said.

“Just don’t give out the answers!”

Gene Gantt is returning as the contest emcee, and Benicia police Chief Andrew Bidou will serve as the judge.

Audience members will get a chance to win prizes through drawings, for which tickets are $1 each or 25 for $20.

The event also features a silent auction, where attendees can bid on glass vases donated by Lindsay Art Glass and Nourot Glass Studio Gallery, as well as on paintings contributed by Benicia artists.

Proceeds from those fundraisers, the cash bar and the Trivia Bee itself will help fund Benicia Public Library programs, particularly its literacy program, Bowles said.

Beverages at the no-host bar are $2 soft drinks and $5 beer and wine, she said.

Tickets to the Trivia Bee are $25, which includes dinner catered by 907 Grill. Diners will be served chicken, vegetarian pasta, salad, angel wings and a dessert, and Starbucks has donated coffee, Bowles said.

The Trivia Bee starts at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Clock Tower, 1189 Washington St. Dinner is at 7 p.m., and the contest will start after dinner.

Tickets are available at the Benicia Public Library, 150 East L St., or online through Brown Paper Tickets on the library’s website, www.benicialibrary.org.