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Back when I was a kid, my dad was an irrepressible punster. I admired his quick wit, and as my vocabulary expanded, I tried my best to imitate him. I was a bit too young to realize that I was setting myself up for a lifetime of social leprosy. By dumb luck, I ended up moving to the one city where a social leper can become an urban legend, the one city in the world that hosts the world championship of puns. The rest is twisted history - my six trophies and my trip to Hollywood to appear on "I've Got a Secret," which gave me bragging rights to being a professional.
In other words, don't try this at home.
Much better you should try it in front of hundreds of people, on a steamy afternoon in May. Occasionally, a fan confides in me that they've dreamed of competing in the O.Henry Pun-Off. You know who you are. Well, here's your chance. We've got a few slots open for new competitors this year, and you can register at www.punpunpun.com. If you just want to sit back and hoot and holler at an afternoon of lowbrow hijinks, put May 14 on your calendar. This year, I'll be competing in the prepared monologue contest and helping to emcee the extemporaneous shootout. Details below.
Peeps through Music,
Steve
FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF:
What: THE 28th ANNUAL O. HENRY PUN-OFF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
When: MAY 14, 2005 - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (SATURDAY!)
Where: Brush Square Park, downtown Austin, TX (5th at Neches)
Who: Friends of the O. Henry Museum, Inc. / Austin Parks &
Recreation Dept.
Why: Jest for a wordy cause!
Website: www.PunPunPun.com
Due to circumstances beyond the pale, the 28th Annual O. Henry Pun-Off
World Championships will be held once again in Austin, Texas, on
Saturday, May 14, 2005. This irreverent assault on our anguished
language annually lures both veteran verbivores and naive neophytes
on a passionate pilgrimage to meet their Mecca in Austin.
Free parking is available on the street within a reasonable walking
distance. Food and drink will be available.
Spaces are open for 32 competitive punslingers in two different
categories of competition. Many will be left out standing in their
fields as they attempt to harvest this year's bumper crop of corn. Up
for grabs will be the title of "Punniest of Show." This freestyle
competition for punsters with prepared material allows 90 seconds for
creative have-wits from every crook and nanny to stuff their struts.
Later bushel come to shove as another corny crop of 32 contestants
face off in the "High-Lies & Low-Puns" competition. These punsters
are paired up and pared down by battling in wordplay on a given a
topic with strict time limits.
Although the crowd groans louder and larger each year, contest
registration and admission are still free. Warm-up music will be
furnished by live band "Bill Rowan & the High Rollers" starting at
11 a.m.
The punning competitions begin at noon and should draw to a twisted end by
5 p.m.
The Friends of the O. Henry Museum, Inc., will also hold a bargain book
sale and silent auction at the event. Items in the auction include
gift certificates and
donations made by local restaurants, arts and crafts stores, entertainment
and sports venues, and other unique Austin businesses. Customers may pay
with cash, checks, or credit cards. Proceeds from the silent auction will
be used in the renovation of the Susanna Dickinson House.
Revenue from refreshment and souvenir sales also helps support educational
projects at the museum, including writing programs for local students.
Word butchers and prospective pundits who wish to jest for a wordy
cause are invited to call or visit the museum. If you are itching for
more inflammation, The O. Henry Museum is located at 409 E. 5th St.,
Austin, TX 78701 or call (512) 472-1903, fax (512) 472-7102. Online
registration for the competition is now available through the Web site.
For interviews or details, contact Gary Hallock <garyhallock@...> or
at 512/453-4431 or 512/973-9929.
O. Henry Museum Web site: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/ohenry.htm
Friends of the O. Henry Museum, Inc., Web site:
http://www.ohenryfriends.org
Pun-Off Web site: http://www.punpunpun.com
The ANNUAL O. HENRY PUN-OFF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS is a co-production of:
* The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD)
* The Friends of the O. Henry Museum, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit
corporation with the support of
* P.U.N.Y. (Punsters United Nearly Yearly) which is also without a
prophet.
What: THE 28th ANNUAL O. HENRY PUN-OFF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
When: MAY 14, 2005 - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (SATURDAY!)
Where: Brush Square Park, downtown Austin, TX (5th at Neches)
Who: Friends of the O. Henry Museum, Inc. / Austin Parks &
Recreation Dept.
Why: Jest for a wordy cause!
Website: www.PunPunPun.com
Due to circumstances beyond the pale, the 28th Annual O. Henry Pun-Off
World Championships will be held once again in Austin, Texas, on
Saturday, May 14, 2005. This irreverent assault on our anguished
language annually lures both veteran verbivores and naive neophytes
on a passionate pilgrimage to meet their Mecca in Austin.
Free parking is available on the street within a reasonable walking
distance. Food and drink will be available.
Spaces are open for 32 competitive punslingers in two different
categories of competition. Many will be left out standing in their
fields as they attempt to harvest this year's bumper crop of corn. Up
for grabs will be the title of "Punniest of Show." This freestyle
competition for punsters with prepared material allows 90 seconds for
creative have-wits from every crook and nanny to stuff their struts.
Later bushel come to shove as another corny crop of 32 contestants
face off in the "High-Lies & Low-Puns" competition. These punsters
are paired up and pared down by battling in wordplay on a given a
topic with strict time limits.
Although the crowd groans louder and larger each year, contest
registration and admission are still free. Warm-up music will be
furnished by live band "Bill Rowan & the High Rollers" starting at
11 a.m.
The punning competitions begin at noon and should draw to a twisted end by
5 p.m.
The Friends of the O. Henry Museum, Inc., will also hold a bargain book
sale and silent auction at the event. Items in the auction include
gift certificates and
donations made by local restaurants, arts and crafts stores, entertainment
and sports venues, and other unique Austin businesses. Customers may pay
with cash, checks, or credit cards. Proceeds from the silent auction will
be used in the renovation of the Susanna Dickinson House.
Revenue from refreshment and souvenir sales also helps support educational
projects at the museum, including writing programs for local students.
Word butchers and prospective pundits who wish to jest for a wordy
cause are invited to call or visit the museum. If you are itching for
more inflammation, The O. Henry Museum is located at 409 E. 5th St.,
Austin, TX 78701 or call (512) 472-1903, fax (512) 472-7102. Online
registration for the competition is now available through the Web site.
For interviews or details, contact Gary Hallock <garyhallock@...> or
at 512/453-4431 or 512/973-9929.
O. Henry Museum Web site: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/ohenry.htm
Friends of the O. Henry Museum, Inc., Web site:
http://www.ohenryfriends.org
Pun-Off Web site: http://www.punpunpun.com
The ANNUAL O. HENRY PUN-OFF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS is a co-production of:
* The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD)
* The Friends of the O. Henry Museum, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit
corporation with the support of
* P.U.N.Y. (Punsters United Nearly Yearly) which is also without a
prophet.
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