What To Expect

Whether you’re new to the world of competitive bearding or not, here’s a rundown of what to expect.

If you’re staying at the Clarion, there will be the shuttle service to and from the hotel both nights, for the Welcome Party and the Competition. While they’re running, you can track the To The Bottom and Back (2BNB) buses at m.2bnb.org. We also have a Competition-specific GroupMe texting group set up so everyone can keep in touch. If you’d like to be added, just text us at 804-631-FotJ [3685].

Competitor Dress
What you wear is completely up to you. Many guys come dressed up in ties and vests, others, t-shirts and jeans. Costumes are par for the course, and are in fact encouraged. Wear what you want. Complement your facial hair with your ensemble.

Competitor Registration
Once you’re in the door, head to the registration table. There, we’ll make sure you're in the correct category and give you your contestant number. To make things a little easier, each category is a block of 100. Don’t lose your contestant number, that’s how the judges will be identifying you.

If you brought friends and they decide they want to join in the fun, registration will remain open until the first competitor for that category is on stage. It’s also worth pointing out that the ladies are eligible to compete in both categories at no extra charge if they wish.

Inside
If you brought some items for the food drive, exchange them for your raffle tickets over at the Raffle table, and place them in the corresponding bag(s) for the swag you’d like. We’ll post the winning ticket numbers on posters before Best In Show. Once you’re done there, feel free to grab some merch from your favorite local Beard League, True Tattoo, or our musical acts, in the booths along the wall. (Other groups are more than welcome to sell their merch at both the Welcome Party and the Hangover Brunch.) Past those are old school arcade games to play to your heart’s content. Though it may be more fun to first grab a “People’s Beer of Richmond,” the faithful PBR, a local brew or other drink, at the longest bar in the City of Richmond.

Preliminary Round
Competitors: keep an ear out when we call for your category and block of numbers. When you’re called, line up by number at the foot of the stage along the wall. Each of you will individually go up on stage, show off your facial hair to the adoring crowd, then go over to the judge’s table for inspection. There, they’ll write down your number, judge, and take notes. Then move to the opposite side of the stage. Once everyone in the group has filed through, we’ll have you line up in front of the judges as a group, and they’ll write down the contestant numbers of their top 3. Once finished, walk off of the stage and back down into the party.

Final Round
When all of the competitors have been judged, we’ll bring the judges’ picks back up on stage by category. With the competitors lined up again, the judges will vote, Olympic-style with paddles, so you can see the points awarded. Based on the point totals, first, second, and third places will then be awarded.

Best In Show
All of the First Place winners on stage will head back up on stage, and based on audience response, the Best In Show will be determined.

Video From Other Competitions
 

SCHEDULE

Mid-Atlantic Beard & ‘Stache Competition Locations



Friday, 3/2

9:00 - Welcome Party for out-of-town guests at Station 2, 2016 East Main St., Richmond, VA 23223, station2richmond.com

2 AM - Station 2 closes

Saturday, 3/3

11:00 - Strange Matter opens - If you want to grab dinner there, get in by 5:30. They won’t kick you out, but they’ll be closing the doors to new folks from 6:00-7:00 so we can set up. 

1:00 - Official Pre-Competition Lunch Meetup at deLux Diner & Lounge, 2229 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23220, deluxrichmond.com

7:00 - Competitor registration begins

8:00 - Competition Begins with an introduction of the judges, and quick overview from the Central Virginia Food Bank.

Preliminary Round
  • Ladies (Fake) Realistic
  • Moustache Natural
  • Moustache Styled
  • Partial Beard Natural
  • Partial Beard Styled
Intermission - The Grotto Dancers perform
  • Ladies Creative
  • Full Beard Groomed
  • Full Beard Natural
  • Full Beard Styled (Freestyle)
The Grotto Dancers perform while the Final Round determinations are made.

Final Round, with Places awarded on stage
  • Ladies (Fake) Realistic
  • Moustache Natural
  • Moustache Styled
  • Partial Beard Natural
  • Partial Beard Styled
  • Ladies Creative
  • Full Beard Groomed
  • Full Beard Natural
  • Full Beard Styled (Freestyle)
Short Intermission
  • “Longest Beard” prize winner for the furthest traveled announced
  • Raffle board announcement
Best In Show awarded!

Afterparty begins at Strange Matter with Billy the Kid & the Southside Boys performing.

2 AM - Strange Matter closes

Sunday, 3/4   
11:00 - Hangover Brunch at Stronghill Dining Co., 1200 N. Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23230, stronghillrestaurant.com.

It's 0.8 mi straight down Boulevard from the Clarion Hotel. We have a room in the back reserved.