Marion Square Park near downtown Salem on Saturday Sept. 16 was transformed into a hub of food, music, and activity on Saturday with the second annual Punx in the Park, a resource fair and concert for homeless youth.
Local food trucks were on hand serving free meals to young people in attendance, and there were over 50 service booths present with every kind of outreach, from haircuts to winter jackets. Six local bands showcased some impressive musical talent.
There was also information about how to donate and provide supplies and services to youth in our community.
Punx in the Park is closely intertwined with the Recovery Outreach Community Center which provides peer support to youth during mental health recovery, including addiction and trauma, since 2007. ROCC runs a drop-in center located in northeast Salem at 2555 Silverton Rd. N.E. that is open seven days a week and has a variety of meetings and events available.
Sam Learn from the Happy Deathmen takes the stage at Punx in the Park held at Marion Square Park in Salem on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)An attendee at Punx in the Park watches the show close to the stage on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A shot of the crowd during the Happy Deathmen show at Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Cash Miranda of the Happy Deathmen belts it out on stage during Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) The Doug Furys on stage at Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Volunteers were on hand to help attendees embellish jackets with patches and other embroidery techniques at Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Free backpacks and school supplies were very popular with attendees at Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter). (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Cold drinks were free at Punx in the Park this year courtesy of a suite of generous donors on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) The Doug Furys were the headliner act at Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) The Doug Furys on stage at Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) The Doug Furys on stage at Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Cash Miranda of the Happy Deathmen points the way for the crowd during Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Cash Miranda of the Happy Deathmen is passed around by the crowd during their set during Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Attendees watch the show from a comfortable seat during Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A young attendee enjoys the show with Dad during Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) A view from backstage as the Doug Furys play during Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter) An attendee gets a hairstyle makeover during Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Attendees watch the show from the back of the crowd during Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Becka Brisbin of Becka Makes Buttons, a co-founder of Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Fans show their devotion while the Doug Furys play at Punx in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A young attendee gets a good view from perch on an obliging shoulder at the Punx in the Park event on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
