Beardos, regardless of whether beards are trimmed or wookie-like, can compete in a facial hair contest organized by a Nanaimo barber this weekend.
The 2015 Nanaimo Beard-O-Rama is set to take place 8 p.m. Saturday (April 25) at The Oxy Pub, and according to host Dave Lawrence, owner of That 50s Barber Shop, the event is unique to the area.
“We looked around to see if there’s a beard contest in Nanaimo and there isn’t. There isn’t one in Victoria, there isn’t one in Vancouver. The nearest one’s in Portland (Ore.), so we thought it’d be kind of cool, so we put it out on our Facebook page and the response was huge,” said Lawrence.
While signups have been brisk, Lawrence could use more contestants and people with beards needn’t be the only ones entering. Along with beards, there are categories for moustachioed men, too.
Lawrence said there are many different beard and moustache styles and Beard-O-Rama will be adjudicated. There will be people’s choice awards too.
“We’ll have three judges who will have rulers, measuring the length of them and we’re going to come up with the definitive definitions of what those categories are and the judge will be basing it all on that,” said Lawrence.
Many businesses have donated prizes for the event, including Lawrence, who will be offering free beard trims for a year and gift certificates.
“Beards are very popular. The beard contest in Portland is huge, it’s known worldwide, so if this is one more event that will put Nanaimo on the map, that’s great,” said Lawrence.
For more information, including how to enter, please go to www.that50sbarbershop.com. Entry fee is $20; show tickets are $10.