The Punters in the Park
By Mark Vaughan-Jackson
The Telegram

Once again, The Punters are going green for the summer. Details of the band’s now annual event, The Punters and Friends in the Park, were released this week along with plans for a special charity golf tournament in aid of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.

The third annual Punters and Friends in the Park Festival will go ahead on Saturday, Aug. 12 in Bowring Park. Tickets go on sale Saturday, July 15 from Allan’s Video locations, O’Brien’s Music, Fred’s Records and Don Cherry’s.

Joining The Punters on stage will be The Irish Descendants, The Ennis Sisters, Celtic Connection, Billy and the Bruisers, Arthur O’Brien, children’s entertainer Greg Donaghey, The Impalas, and comedian Mark Critch as host.

“All the stars aligned just perfectly to allow us to get these acts together on the same stage for the first time,” Larry Foley, lead singer for The Punters said.

“With everyone’s busy touring schedule in the summer months, it was amazing that we were able to find a date that worked for everyone. We couldn’t be happier with the lineup,” he said.

The festival — running 7 1/2 hours — will start at 3 p.m. and run through to 10 p.m.

Proceeds from the festival will go to the Newfoundland Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, with audience members also encouraged to bring along non-perishable food donations for local food banks.

Meanwhile, The Punters are also leading the charge in aid of a sick friend and another charitable organization.

Having been bitten by the golf bug during mainland touring for their latest album Will You Wait, band members have organized a charity golf tournament at The Wilds in Salmonier on July 26.

All proceed will go to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada in honour of a friend of the band undergoing treatment for Crohn’s Disease.

The Punters will host a variety of Newfoundland music celebrities who will, in turn, each be partnered with corporate teams entered in the tournament.

Included in the tournament and the entertainment to follow are; Celtic Connection, the Ennis Sisters, Pete Soucy, Damhnait Doyle, Wayne Chaulk of Buddy Wasisname and The Other Fellers, Denis Parker and others.