From the BLOG:

By Christy Wolyniak, Contributor

Bearded folk in Seattle found a new purpose for their facial hair this past weekend. Barefaced individuals were welcome, though they were handed a stick-on stache upon entry to Blue C Sushi Saturday.

Volunteer-run 501(c)3 organization, The World Is Fun (TWIF) invited the Seattle community to its fourth annual Beard and Stache opening reception in Fremont. 125 cans with pictures of bearded men rotated around the restaurant on a conveyor belt, replacing the eatery display. People were encouraged to donate their pocket change to their favorite stache or beard in support of the Treehouse organization.

“We knew we wanted to host an event that brought the community together. [We also how guys love to talk about their facial hair,” explained Amy Faulkner, Executive Director of TWIF.

Treehouse is a nonprofit organization that supports foster kids through education and programs and has been a beneficiary of TWIF’s beard festival since its creation.

“Foster care affects everyone. It is the community’s job to take care of kids,” said Jessie Hooper, Treehouse marketing coordinator.

Many individuals said they were going to get their company to match whatever donations they raised.

Craig Drummond, bar manager at People’s Pub in Ballard, pledged to shave off all of his hair and donate it to Locks of Love if he raised $1000. People’s Pub owner, Drew Kondik, said the company will make up the difference in order for Drummond to reach his goal for Treehouse.

“I look at every different place where I can volunteer and see if it’s worth it. [Treehouse to keep kids focused [and were a no-brainer,” said Kondik.

Josh Dand of the COBALT (Collection Of Beards At Local Technology) team, won third place last year. This was his second year participating.

“I decided to harness the power of my work environment, picking out people from the company to this year,” said Dand, whose company will also support Treehouse for their March charity focus. “It’s tough out there for a bald man. If you’re lacking it on top you gotta style what you got.”

When it comes to style, self-proclaimed ‘mustache aficionado, Peyton Schuffield of the Beardtenders team said he loves all things mustache. Schuffield calls his beard “El Bigote”, Spanish for ‘the mustache’.

“I never thought a mustache could contribute so much, and the kids need a little help so I’m happy to be a part of [the,” said Schuffield.

Donning an all-white, shorter beard, Santa Clause named ‘Curley’ for the event was excited to participate. He has gone on 23 sailings with the Argosy Cruise Ships as Santa and said he is going to bring his Argosy brothers next year to participate in the festival.

“[I really, really excited to hear that 100 percent of the donations are going to Treehouse,” said Curley.

Among the participants were the mayor and three world champions for beard competitions.

One such individual was ‘Ghandi Jones’, who wore suspenders and enormous ears to aid his character’s failing hearing. His spray-painted grey beard accented two gray-pasted eyebrows and similar ear hair coming out of his huge ears.

Jones is a three-time and current freestyle mustache world champion, winning competitions in England, Alaska, and last year in Norway. He has attended TWIF’s Beard and Stache Festival every year since it began.

How does one become a world beard champion one might wonder?

“Become really talented and creative,” said Jones, “This category isn’t for misfits . . . I redefine it on my own terms."

Friend of Jones, ‘Budd Dougly’ has maintained a mustache for 20 years and has only been barefaced once. He rocked a walrus stache for the festival.

Wearing a heavy, full beard, wife of ‘Fred Volanski’was a huge fan of her husband’s hairy do.

“I get to snuggle in it! It’s very sexy and I love it,” said wife, Tarah.

Apparently long, flowing beards appeal to more women than not. Smiling above 18 inches of a soft-looking, white mane, Marc Tachell is a walking advertisement for his website, http://www.everettrock.com/. His website provides information on upcoming concerts in the Everett area.

“It’s not about who’s got the best beard, it’s about the most donations,” he said.

Another bonus? Tachell said his beard is definitely a chick magnet as intrigued women will ask to pet his well-conditioned beard. It takes him three years to get it to this outrageous length.

The Beard and Stache Festival will host 30 days of crazy beard competitions and events at neighborhood bars.

Over $11,000 has been raised through these events over the past three years according to Faulkner.

For more information on upcoming news and events, visit http://beardandstachefest.com.