Keep Austin word: O. Henry Museum Pun-Off returns in person this fall

Eric Webb, Austin American-Statesman
·2 min read
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The most punderful time of the year is back. Celebrating its 45th year, the O. Henry Museum Pun-Off World Championships will return in person on Oct. 8.

Traditionally, clever folks looking to keep Austin word gather behind the O. Henry Museum each year to let their best puns fly. The wordplay has gone virtual for two years because of the pandemic. This year, though, the Pun-Off will take place at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St.), since Brush Square (where the O. Henry Museum is located) is under renovation, according to a news release.

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The event features two contests. During "Punniest In Show," contestants deliver a prepared monologue. For "Punslingers," contestants will face off in a battle of puns. Entrants can participate in one or both contests, but each one is capped at 32 people. "Contestants are chosen via lottery and entering doesn't guarantee you a spot in either competition," according to a news release.

Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department holds the annual Pun-Off. "The story is that it started informally as an impromptu performance outside the O. Henry Museum during the Pecan Street Festival, then it became established as an official event in 1979," according to an American-Statesman report from 2019.

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The celebrated short-story author O. Henry, aka William Sidney Porter, lived in Austin for a few years in the late 1800s and held a number of jobs in the city, including founder of The Rolling Stone newspaper. The O. Henry Museum at 409 E. Fifth St. is his former residence. Today, he's best remembered for twist-ending tales like "The Gift of the Magi." The Pun-Off honors his wit and gift for language.

Attendees of this year's Pun-Off will find food and live music, and organizers will sell T-shirts to benefit the O. Henry Museum. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration opens up on Thursday at punoff.com.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin's O. Henry Museum Pun-Off returns in person in October 2022