The RVA Beard League is hosting its second annual Mid-Atlantic Beard and ‘Stache Championships April 27th at the Canal Club starting at 7pm. Tickets are only $10 and benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Richmond. After last year’s tremendous success, this year’s championships will be even bigger and fuzzier.
The RVA Beard League is hosting its second annual Mid-Atlantic Beard and ‘Stache Championships April 27th at the Canal Club starting at 7pm. Tickets are only $10 and benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Richmond. After last year’s tremendous success, this year’s championships will be even bigger and fuzzier.
Returning this year as Master of Hair-emonies, Dash from 103.7 The River will emcee the event. Chris Adler from Lamb of God will be serving as a special judge, in addition to Jesse Smith from Spike TV’s Ink Master and local radio icon Melissa Chase. Amy Saksitz from the Dennis the Menace movie and Steve McKenna from Drinking Made Easy will also be judging. Though the facial hair is the main entertainment, you can also look forward to a Nintendo-themed musical performance by local band Mario Speedwagon.
In addition to best in show, this year’s competitive categories include: best fake facial hair, creative and realistic; best moustache, natural and styled; best full beard, natural, groomed and styled; sideburns; and best partial beard, natural and styled. Winners get handmade railroad spike trophies courtesy of Bishop Stone and Metal Works. Even if you are not competing, you can enter the $1 raffle to win prize packs from sponsor PBR, Taboo Lingerie, Classic Shaving and more.
Founded in 2011, the RVA Beard League “promotes the appreciation of facial hair and brings Richmonders… together for beers and competitive charity events.” Membership is open to locals with and without facial hair. According to league president Chad Roberts, charity is a primary focus of the league as part of its mission, “to prove… that any bias… against facial hair is unfounded.” Last year, the first Mid-Atlantic Beard and ‘Stache Championships raised $1,400 and 250 pounds of food for the Central Virginia Food Bank.
After last year’s event exceeded their expectations, Beard League members anticipate an even bigger turnout this year. “The event has grown in every way possible… [we have] a bigger venue [with] more contestants… [and] spectators [and] people coming from further away…. We’ve worked hard to make this a premier event,” said treasurer Travis Oliver.
When asked if the beard makes the man or the man makes the beard, RVA Beard League leaders offered varying opinions. “It’s a symbiotic relationship. Either side can fall short of expectations and potential. They key to any great facial hair is to OWN it, [and] rock the shit out of it,” said Roberts. Vice-president Steve Brown feels that “man makes the beard better,” while secretary Robere del Follicle quips that though “a man grows a beard; a woman makes it.” Oliver, meanwhile, states that “the man makes the most of the beard he’s been given.”
Whether you rock a full beard, a Dali-style mustache or go (in)voluntarily clean shaven, expect a good time at this year’s Mid-Atlantic Beard and ‘Stache Championships.
The Mid-Atlantic Beard and ‘Stache Championships will take place upstairs at The Canal Club, located at 1545 E. Cary St, on Saturday April 27. Doors open at 7 PM. Tickets are $10 in advance, and can be purchased HERE.
When she isn’t appreciating beards, Melina can be found making jewelry or blogging about clothes.
