FARMINGTON – Have you ever heard the slogan “Grow a beard for a good cause”? Probably not. But if you live in or around Farmington, you might start hearing the expression soon as Farmington’s second annual Growin’ a Beard Contest gets under way.
The idea to start an Irish-style Donegal beard-growing contest, ending on St. Patrick’s Day, came to Todd Richards of Farmington when he was watching a documentary last year about a similar contest that has been taking place in Shamrock, Texas, for “about 50 years,” Richards said. He thought the contest in the documentary looked so funny, he decided to start one in Farmington as a fundraiser for the then-anonymous Ferrari family, who lost their home to a fire on Nov. 30, 2004, Richards said.
Around 17 people competed in last year’s contest, Richards said, and the contest garnered “around $700” for the Ferrari family. Receiving the funds unexpectedly “was awesome,” said Scott Ferrari Thursday. “It came at a good time,” he added.
The donations came “after the fact – months later,” he said, at a time when donations the family had received during the Christmas season were running low.
“We bought some special stuff with Todd’s money,” including housewares to replace ones lost in the fire, Ferrari added.
Tom Taylor of Farmington was the winner of last year’s contest, which was judged by two Farmington barbers and “a token Irishman,” Richards said. According to contest judge and Dick’s barbershop barber Jackie Tardiff, Taylor’s beard won because it was “the fullest – the best.”
Taylor, who is helping to organize this year’s event, said a recipient for the proceeds of the 2006 contest has not be chosen yet but explained, “we have decided its going to be a unique situation,” somebody who really needs it because of a house fire or illness.
Those interested in participating in the Growin’ a Beard Contest are asked to go to the Granary Restaurant in Farmington on Sunday, Jan. 1, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in the afternoon. Participants have been asked to come clean shaven and to bring an entry fee of $25.
The contest will run from New Year’s Day until St. Patrick’s Day. Winners will receive a plaque and “notoriety,” Taylor said.
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