The O. Henry Pun-off returns to Austin for its 39th annual event on May 7 in Brush Square Park. The event, billed as the “World Championship” of puns, will run from noon to 6 p.m. and include live music, food truck offerings and two contests: Punniest of Show, a recitation of prepared material, and Punslingers, an improvisational competition. Brush Square Park is at 409 E. 5th St., behind the O. Henry Museum. O. Henry is the pen name of William Sydney Porter, an Austin author known for short stories that included puns and word play.
The event is family-friendly, and contestants are asked to “think twice” about making overt adult references. According to the event’s website, “we feel a responsibility to our audience, many of whom are young and impressionable, to present a program that is not intentionally offensive in its nature.”
Admission is free. Visit punoff.com for details.