https://archive.triblive.com/local/westmoreland/greensburg-beard-mustache-competition-gets-hairy/
Greensburg Beard & Mustache Competition gets hairy
Evan Sanders | Tribune-Review
(From left to right) Ed Guy, of Greensburg, Edwin, Gowatski, of Smiththon, Russ Nagel, of Greenville, and Anthony Fontes, of Youngstown, Ohio, gather for a group photo in front of the judges during the 2nd annual Greensburg Beard and Mustache Competition at Badges Bar and Grille in Greensburg on Sunday, Mar. 6, 2016.
Things got hairy at Greensburg's Badges Bar and Grille on Sunday.
Very hairy.
The second annual Greensburg Beard & Mustache Competition attracted more than 50 competitors of all ages and hair colors.
Their owners preened, hoping their growth — which would have impressed former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel — would win them prizes or awards.
Chris Bates, 43, traveled from Detroit, driving more than five hours after spending three hours having his “ginger” beard curled and sprayed.
Clutching a box of Lucky Charms cereal and wearing a green top hat, the self-proclaimed “Irish boy” said he came in second in 2015's Just For Men national beard and mustache competition in the “freestyle” category.
“I do it purely for fun and recognition. It's an expensive hobby,” Bates said.
The competition was organized by Greensbearders founder B.J. Bollinger, 25, of Greensburg.
Funds raised via the $15 entry fee will be donated to the Greensburg Fire Department Hose Company No. 8's bell tower restoration project, Bollinger said.
“I want to save the history in this town,” he said.
Calling Badges his “go-to hometown bar,” he credited owner Gary Bell for agreeing to host the event.
Gary Bell and his son, Chet Bell, are Greensburg firefighters.
“Everybody loves my mustache. I hate shaving. It makes my face itchy,” said Ben Staymates, 25, of Saltsburg, Indiana County.
He said the daily process of cleaning, waxing and combing his mustache, which he called less “handlebar” and more Salvador Dali, takes less than 10 minutes.
Staymates hoped to win for “mustache styled.”
Andrew Miskowiec, 30, of Edgewood in Allegheny County entered his more than foot-long reddish facial hair in the “natural full beard” category.
President of the Steel City Beard and Mustache Club in Pittsburgh, he often is both competitor and vendor at similar competitions.
“The big thing is it's all for charity,” Miskowiec said.
The bell at the Highland Avenue station was replaced by air horns in the 1950s but holds historical value, firefighter Clyde Snyder said.
Restoring the tower and its more than 100-year-old bell is expected to cost $70,000, paid for with donations and contributions from the city.
Snyder, who is clean-shaven, attended the fundraiser and thanked Bollinger.
“It's great. We really appreciate any help we can get,” he said.
Mary Pickels is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-836-5401 or mpickels@tribweb.com.
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