Beardtoberfest is not just any facial hair competition; it’s an event that brings together competitors and fans from across America for a memorable evening filled with camaraderie, philanthropy, and fun. This year’s event promises an exciting mix of competitions, costumes, and community spirit.
Cape Beard’s Beardtoberfest Beard-A-Con II: Beards in a Half Shell marks the 12th Annual Beard and Mustache Competition. This year’s event will happen on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Dirtbag Ales from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The men’s competition at Beardtoberfest features a variety of categories, ensuring that every style of facial hair has its moment to shine. Categories include Mustache - Styled or Natural, Whaler, Donegal, Partial Beard - Natural, Goatee, Mutton, Partial Beard - Styled, Full Beard - Groomed, Full Beard with Styled Mustache, Full Beard - Natural - 1 to 6 inches, Full Beard - Natural - 6 to 12 inches, Full Beard - Natural - 12 inches and more, and Freestyle.
With such a wide range of categories, competitors can showcase their unique facial hair styles and grooming skills. The admission fee to the event is $15 and it is free to compete in one category. For those looking to enter multiple categories, an additional $5 fee per category applies.
Judges for the competition are semi local personalities involved with the Bearding community. This year’s judges will be:
• James Pemberton: President of Holy City Beard and Mustache Society of Charleston SC.
• Holly Whitley: Owner of Legends Pub, Fayetteville
• Julia Feranga: Wife of last years’ Best in Show winner Mike ‘Fox’ Feranga from Bearded Villains Eastern NC. Mike passed away in July from Esophageal Cancer.
• Chad Roberts: President of North American Charitable Beard & Mustache Alliance and President of RVA Beard League, Richmond VA
• Dominique Womack: Sassy Rock DJ personality spinning out the tunes at Rock103 from Fayetteville.
“The top three finishes will receive a trophy indicating what place they won and all first-place winners will go on to compete in the Best In Show Category. Our Trophies are handcrafted/finished by members of Cape Beard and have a unique tie to the Theme of this year’s Beardtoberfest: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” says Cape Beard.
Beardtoberfest isn’t just for the men; women are invited to showcase their creativity in two unique categories: Lady - Creative and Lady - Realistic. The Lady - Realistic category challenges participants to build beards or mustaches out of materials that resemble actual hair. Some contestants even use their own hair, braiding it to create a realistic beard effect.
The Lady - Creative category, on the other hand, encourages the use of non-hair materials to construct imaginative beard and mustache designs. The possibilities are endless, from Lego and balloons to bottle caps and pine cones. These beards are often intricate and require significant preparation before the event.
The fun at Beardtoberfest extends to the younger attendees with a Children’s Costume Contest. Kids are welcome to dress in any costume they like, and adding a beard or mustache flair to their outfits is highly encouraged. Whether it’s a superhero, a cartoon character, or something entirely unique, the children’s costumes add an extra layer of joy to the event.
This inclusive approach ensures that everyone, regardless of age, can participate in the festivities and feel like a part of the Beardtoberfest community.
Eventgoers can also look forward to vendors, a raffle and live music. If you are interested in vending or donating an item for the raffle contact Doug Cameron at 910-922-2448.
Participating in Beardtoberfest is about having fun and supporting a worthy cause. All funds raised from the event are donated to the Karen Chandler Trust, a local non-profit cancer organization dedicated to helping those in need.
“Last Year we raised $6,700 for the Karen Chandler Trust. This year the funds raised will also go to The Karen Chandler Trust,” Cape Beard reports.
If you’re interested in competing, simply show up at Dirtbag Ales on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Businesses and organizations can also get involved by sponsoring a competition category. For sponsorship inquiries, contact Doug Cameron, President of Cape Beard, at 910-922-2448. Participation and contributions will help make a positive impact on the local community.

(Photos: Top: Participants in a previous Beardtoberfest gather together on stage. Bottom: Beard contestants for Beardtoberfest pose with Captain American shields. Photos courtesy of Cape Beard)