The 32nd Annual O. Henry Pun-Off: May 16, 2009
CHAMPIONSHIP HAPPENS! 

The O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships is Jest for a Wordy Cause!

AUSTIN, TX  - Celebrate the lowest form of humor in high style at the 32nd Annual O. Henry Pun-Off World Championships on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the O. Henry Museum, 409 E. Fifth Street. 

This irreverent assault on our anguished language annually lures both veteran verbivores and innocent 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 "Punslingers" competition where aspiring "have-wits" are paired up and pared down by battling in wordplay on a given topic. Lest the puns linger too long, time limits are imposed.   Although the crowd groans louder and larger each year, contest registration and admission are still free.  

Inspiring wordplayers are strongly urged to apply themselves early at the wwwebsite <punpunpun.com>  Live music will be furnished by MoPac and the Blue Suburbans at 11am.  The actual competitions begin at noon and should draw to a twisted end near 5pm. All revenue from refreshment and souvenir sales helps support educational projects and programs at the O. Henry Museum.  

Word butchers and prospective pundits who wish to jest for a wordy cause or just want more information are invited to call the O. Henry Museum at (512) 472-1903 or Pun-Off extra-corninaire Gary Hallock at (512) 973-9929. gary@hallock.net Visit these websites:  www.ohenrymuseum.org and www.punpunpun.com    

PUN-OFF REGISTRATION PAGE <http://application.microassist.net/punoff> 

Topics used in the PunSlingers Competition

Topic prompts used for battle in the PunSlingers competition have traditionally been selected at random. Lately we've undertaken the daunting task of weeding, rethinking and redefining many of these time-tested but cumbersome topic cues. While the range of subjects available for play will still be broad and generous, this year's contestants will find themselves working within some interesting new boundaries.

As usual will have a "cash vote" of the audience for the final round of play. You will be invited to determine the topic for the final round by literally putting your money where our mouths are. Below is a sample list of the topic groupings used in competition last year. (There is no guarantee that any of these topic groupings will appear this year in exactly this form)

PUNSLINGERS TOPICS USED IN 2008

INSECTS
GEOMETRY
MONEY & FINANCE
ART & ARTISTS
WHEELED VEHICLES
DESERTS - NO CANDY
INFANTS
WEAPONS - NO FIREARMS
FOOTWEAR
TYPES OF BUILDINGS
SUPERNATURAL
FARMING & RANCHING
GRAMMAR & PUNCTUATION
PHOTOGRAPHY - NON DIGITAL
MARRIAGE
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
POP MUSIC
DANCE
HEAD COVERINGS
AMERICAN CIVIL WAR
FIRE
FEELINGS & EMOTIONS
CONTAINERS
TOBACCO USE
ANIMAL SOUNDS
ANIMAL BODY PARTS