Punch & Judy:  A Traditional Festival Classic

By Keith Raynor

            The laughs and shouts of children could be heard from the distance as the organ grinder played its tune.   The Appalachian Festival that was held on the Frostburg State campus was the site for some old fashioned fun for many children and adults alike.  Mark Walker (a.k.a. Professor Horn) has been entertaining young and old for nearly 20 years.  The Punch & Judy Show is not his only rabbit in Walker’s hat. He is also an accomplished magician. 

            This is Walker’s second year attending the festival.  “What’s not to like,” Walker indicated about the beautiful Saturday morning.  Although it is a two hour drive from his home in Harford County Maryland, Walker does not seem to mind. Extensive travel is a part of Horn’s Punch & Judy show.  The show seen at the Appalachian Festival has been around since the 1930’s when it was first introduced by George Horn.  Walker first seen the show in 1963 and fell in love with the act.  “I got the chance to meet George Horn,” Walker said. Walker met Horn, when Horn was in his eighties, to carry on the tradition.   The puppets that Walker uses are the original ones from the show.  The original show was taught to Walker by Horn and the two remained friends until Horns death.  As a tribute to Horn, Walker kept the original name of the show.

            Although Walker enjoys entertaining people with his Punch & Judy shows, he is also a financial manager at Johns Hopkins.  He has worked there for the past thirty years.  With his full-time job and the Punch & Judy Show, Walker is extremely busy.  When asked how often he performs, “I do about 150 shows a year,” Walker said.  These shows include lectures, birthday parties, fairs, and festivals.  Walker also prides himself on preserving the history of Punch & Judy.  He has one of the largest private collections of Punch & Judy puppets and memorabilia.   Some of the puppets date back to the mid 1800’s and valued in the thousands.

            Walker is also has a wide knowledge when it comes to the history of magic in Baltimore.  He has been cited numerous times for his insight in the realm of magic and Punch & Judy.  The recipient of many great reviews for his work, Walker is an icon in the craft of Punch & Judy.  Punch & Judy has been entertaining people for over 350 years.  The tradition is carried on by the dedicated Mark Walker.

For more information on Horn’s Punch & Judy visit, www.hornspunch.com