Beard contests are nothing new. There are quite a few very high-profile examples in Europe, and as beard popularity in the US continues to grow, you can bet that there will be more and more here as well. However, if you’re looking for a way to celebrate all things facial hair, then the Come and Shave It celebration in Austin, Texas might be worth checking into.
What’s It All About?
This marks the 10th year for Austin’s Come and Shave It celebration, which is sponsored by the Austin Facial Hair Club (you might remember them from the short-lived reality show Beard Wars). It takes place every February, and sees beard and mustache wearers from all over the country converge on the city.
And contrary to what the name might imply, this isn’t about shaving off your facial hair – it’s about celebrating it. It’s one of many national beard competitions that sees competitors from east and west, north and south come together in Austin each year to show off, be recognized, and generally have a good time.
The 10th-anniversary celebration of Come and Shave It lasted from Thursday, February the 18th through Sunday the 21st. It also included a wide range of judging categories, including:
• Six Month Spring: Short-term facial hair growth of no less than six months.
• Donegal: Focused on chin-strap and Abraham Lincoln style beards.
• Goatee: Focused on goatees and related beards.
• Fiercest Chops: Focused on sideburns and mutton chops.
• Baby Beard: Focused on short beards of less than an inch in length.
• Gnarly Man Beard: Focused on beards over an inch in length, with no styling aids allowed.
• Sweetest Natural Stash: Dedicated to all natural mustaches.
• Best Groomed: Full beards with good grooming and presentation.
• Full Beard with a Styled Stash: Un-styled beards, but styled mustaches.
• Freestyle: The name says it all – almost anything goes.
• Ladies: Women had two categories, including natural looking facial hair and creative, fantasy facial hair.
Each year, the Come and Shave It celebration features more than just judging facial hair categories. Entrants get to sample some of Texas’ best barbecue throughout the event, combined with live music, a pub crawl, access to unique facial hair product vendors, and a great deal more. While there’s not a lot of shaving going on, it is a great time for all, whether you’re bearded or not.
Source: Statesman
The post Austin Gets Down with Come and Shave It Celebration appeared first on Beardoholic.