When 96 up-and-coming comedians step into the ring of the Boston Comedy Festival, it’s only the most innovative and groundbreaking of stand-ups that emerge as champions.

Returning to the stage of The Rockwell this Saturday, February 17, Champions of the Boston Comedy Festival brings back four of their past winners to showcase the best talent throughout the years, featuring past champions Dan Boulger (The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson), Dave McDonough, Peter Martin and Andrew Mayer. The festival is sure to deliver knockout laughter with the decade’s funniest comics.

Dan Boulger began his comedy career in late 2004 only one week into his freshman year of college. Quickly becoming a favorite in the New England area, Boulger started performing nationally after winning the Boston Comedy Festival in 2006 at the age of 20. He has since received recognition from both audiences and industry alike have performed on Comedy Central, The BBC, and the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival, and most recently has made multiple appearances on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen. Due to his age, he is an ideal college performer and has appeared on several high profile college tours such as the Comedy Central Live and College Humor Live tours and has been able to be the supporting act for many famous comedians including Bill Burr, Louis CK, and Zach Galifianakis.

With a quirky delivery and an offbeat sense of humor, Andrew Mayer has quickly become a mainstay in Boston’s comedy scene. He has performed in the Bridgetown and Laughing Skull comedy festivals and was a finalist in the Boston Comedy Festival. One time, a joke Andrew wrote was used in a question on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Andrew’s debut album, Nonsense, was released in 2015.

The winner of 2009’s Boston Comedy Festival, Dave McDonough’s unique view of the world is as scary as it is refreshing. His dry monotone delivery paired with his intense stage presence is a style all its own. He is a regular in Boston clubs, performs in colleges throughout New England and can also be heard on Sirus XM Radio. His routine has some audiences wondering if they should laugh or lock him up.

Peter Martin is a Comedian hailing from Somerville. His humor resonates with the same gritty taste and sensibilities of the Boston blue collar working class. From absurd silliness to intelligent satire, over the past seven years Martin has become a well-known and established talent in the Boston comedy scene.

Champions of the Boston Comedy Festival at The Rockwell, Saturday, February 17, 8 p.m. Tickets $15, available through BostonComedyFest.com or at the door while they last.

http://bostoncomedyfest.com.