Atomic Beard & Moustache Competition set Oct. 17 in Richland

Collin Hooper entered his first beard competition 2  1/2 years ago.

It was in Portland, and Hooper had a blast.

“We met so many creative, open-minded, fun people,” he said.

The experience inspired him to start the Atomic City Beard Club, a local collective of facial hair enthusiasts. The group now is set to hold a contest of its own — the first-ever Atomic Beard & Moustache Competition.

It’s at 4 p.m. Oct. 17 at Jokers, 624 Wellsian Way, Richland. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.

All the proceeds will go to the nonprofit Safe Harbor Support Center and its My Friends Place teen shelter.

“I honestly can’t think of a better cause,” Hooper said.

By participating, “you get together and have a great time with creative folks and raise money for a good cause,” he said.

The competition is drawing bearded and mustached men from the Tri-Cities and beyond, with competitors traveling from as far away as Canada to take part.

Categories include mustache; business beard for full or partial beards less than one inch in length; full natural beard under six inches; full natural beard over six inches; partial beards of all lengths, including goatees, chops, Fu Manchu and Amish beards; and freestyle beard, which can include use of styling products and decorations.

Women, children and clean-shaven guys also can join in by creating beards out of art supplies and other materials.

The competition is intended to be light-hearted and friendly, Hooper said.

“They announce your name, you walk across the stage. You can add a little theatrics if you want, but you don’t have to. You can just walk across and show your beard. Everybody is going to cheer, no matter what,” he said. “Everybody is excited; there’s lots of energy.”

Live music and drawings are planned.

Prizes will be awarded for the top beards and mustaches.

Dennis Mohr and the rest of the Atomic City Beard Club executive board are helping Hooper with the event.

The Bearded Dragon is the main sponsor, and Steadfast Barber Shop and Wook’s Craft & Cork also are pitching in.

Cost is $5 for spectators and $15 for competitors. Kids 12 and younger will be admitted for free.

Pre-registration is available at www.tinyurl.com/atomicbeard.

Those who can’t make the competition but want to donate should go to www.atomicbeardcompetition.causevox.com.

More on the Atomic City Beard Club: www.atomiccitybeardclub.com.

This story was originally published October 7, 2015 at 4:15 PM with the headline "Atomic Beard & Moustache Competition set Oct. 17 in Richland."