CALM down it's just £306

So so proud to tell you that BeerdFest raised a STONKING £306 for CALM this year ^_^ Just £22 keeps the CALM helpline team by the phone for an hour waiting to take calls. 

On Saturday September 6th, hundreds of bearded brothers and supportive sisters got together to find out who had the Best Beard and Moustache in Liverpool at BeerdFest 2014. Liverpool's favourite annual Beard and Moustache Contest, offering beer and respect to winners plus a signed picture of patron Brian Blessed, was another hairy success with bearded chaps coming from as far as Brighton to take part.

Thanks especially to my beardfancying compadre Becky Pope from our new Baltic venue Constellations, and all the other judges - Roger Phillips, David Dade and Cutthroat Pete - for giving up their time and expert opinions...

Much thanks to the tech team Tom, DJ Richie Vegas and pappers Dave Walker, Hannah Cassidy, Kayley Cope, Jim Moody, Dave Colbran, Adrian Wharton and Gary Phillips ensuring we have awesome pics and a mini movie to go with our happy memories... And thanks muchly to my musical pals Joe Kelly, Simon McKelvie, Neildsy, Me and Deboe, Derek King, Kyle Lee, Darren Eedens and Liz Owen who all showed up to share their many talented energies to make the festival the best ever - onwards and upwards to 2015 now!

Local 'thatch' of The British Beard Club the 'Liverbeards', set up after meeting like-minded souls at the original BeerdFest in 2012. Liverbeard co-creator, Drew Johnson is a fan of the contest: "It's such a great night. There's a lot of love in the room for all things bearded and it's a great opportunity to meet new friends." The Liverbeards next meet is Tuesday September 30th at Baltic Fleet pub from 7pm if you'd like to come and join us for a celebratory drink.

Thanks to all who gave us prizes this year including Pistonhead Lager, Liverbeards, LUSH Spa Liverpool, The British Beard Club, Independent Liverpool,and Rennies Gallery.

BeerdFest is proud to support men's mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). Campaigner Simon Howes says: "With suicide now the biggest killer of men under 50 in this country, it is brilliant to see such a great partnership between BeerdFest and CALM continuing.  Every year it gets bigger and better, much like some of the beards that enter, and we're thrilled to be able to work with such a great bunch of men and women who love their beards and care about men's wellbeing."

Jodie has produced a beard blog www.tashwags.blogspot.com since attending the World Beard & Moustache Championships in 2007.  

 

The next Beerdfest will be on World Beard Day Saturday September 5th 2015. So you better get growing for the show now, y'hear! 

Send all your enquiries to beerdfestliverpool at gmail dot com

BeerdFest: The Movie

So glad that Gary Phillips came along to enjoy BeerdFest, he made us this ace little promotional video so we can enjoy some highlights at leisure! Coming soon, CALM proceeds raised and interviews with all our winners ^_^

#mandown

BeerdFest 2014 Best Beard winner Michael Legge refuses to be a #mandown

BeerdFest is proud to support men's mental health charity CALM and here to prove the point are a few of our World Beard Day BeerdFesters proving it's tough to be miserable with a badass beard!

The Man Down campaign is all about raising awareness of the fact that suicide is now the biggest killer of men under 50.  It’s about encouraging men to recognise when they are finding life difficult and talk to someone, rather than reach a point of crisis, and it’s about encouraging us all to look out for our mates…

BeerdFest contestant Nick Ballam refuses to be a #mandown

Help CALM have a big impact on Wednesday September 10th by backing the campaign, find and print off your sign using the link below, take a selfie and share it on your networks, including #ManDown & #WSPD14

Former BeerdFest champ Michael O'Brien refuses to be a #mandown

The fairer sex can get involved too - there's a poster for girlfriends, wives, partners, mums etc ^_^  For more information on the #mandown campaign visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/2014/09/mandown-launches-wednesday-on-merseyside/

Liverpool musician Joe Kelly refuses to be a #mandown

And remember a beard is for life, not just for BeerdFest ;) To join the mailing list email beerdfestliverpool at gmail.com and we'll keep you informed of any upcoming bearded fun and games in Liverpool.

Fuzzfest Success

Thanks to everyone who helped, competed and attended BeerdFest for World Beard Day 2014!

Pictured is our winner of Best Beard Michael Legge who travelled all the way across from Rotherham, Yorkshire to take away the most coveted award of the evening, and deservedly so ^_^

Other winners were: Martin Doherty from Crosby for Best Moustache, Michael Wallage from Derbyshire for Best Partial Beard, Delia Brady-Jacobs from Liverpool for Best Fake, Steve Walsh from Liverpool for Beard Worth Talking About, Dean Palmer from Wallasey for Baltic BILF and Mycroft Milverton from Liverpool for Best BeerdFester - phew! that's a whole lotta catwalks!

Thanks especially to my beardfancying compadre Becky Pope from Constellations and all the other judges - Roger Phillips, David Dade and Cutthroat Pete - for giving up their time...

Much thanks to the tech Tom, DJ Richie Vegas and pappers Hannah Cassidy, Kayley Cope, Jim Moody, Dave Colbran, Adrian Wharton, Gary Phillips and Dave Walker ensuring we have awesome pics to go with our happy memories this weekend...

And thanks muchly to my musical pals Joe Kelly, Neildsy, Me and Deboe, Derek King, Kyle Lee, Darren Eedens - who just about made it travelled up from sunny Wales - and Liz Owen who all showed up to share their many talented energies to make the festival the best ever - onwards and upwards to 2015 now ^_^

I'll keep sharing pics from the big day as I get through them and update how much we raised for CALM as soon as we know...

If you're in Liverpool or surrounding areas, do join me for a recovery beer with the Liverbeards in the Baltic Fleet Tuesday September 30th from 7pm

A winner's perspective...

We caught up with last year's winners Mycroft (Freestyle champ) and Dave (Partial champ)...

What did you most enjoy about taking part?

Mycroft: I enjoy the whimsy of it. Celebrating something everyday and mundane in a reverential fashion. I love that the beard has the power to bring together and unite people from all walks of life and interests.

Dave: Simply being part of a warm, friendly gathering and meeting new and interesting folk, topped off by a message from a true legend. Seriously, how many people have ever chinned a polar bear in their tent?

Brian Blessed returns this year as patron for the contest & has sent us goodies for the winners! - Ed.

What are your winning tips?

Mycroft: There's a lot of astounding beards in the contest. Character is essential. Be impressive, be memorable!

Dave: Revel in Your eccentricity! 

Will you be returning this year to defend your title?

Mycroft: Yes I will. The contest is getting tougher every year though. Of course I would love to win a hat trick but I'm facing some rather bristling competition this year.

Dave: I hope to defend my title this time round, it would be nice to win but it's not just about that eh?

Who is your beard-spiration?

Mycroft: Grizzly Adams, Yoffy and my dad!

Dave: My friend Mark Wainy Wain and the wonderful Brian Blessed!

BeerdFest Guide

Coming to BeerdFest this Saturday September 6th at Constellations Liverpool on #worldbeardday? Here's what you need to know about how the day works whether you're taking part in the beard and moustache contest or simply in the crowd helping beards win points & enjoying a good mingle!

Overview

Thank you for your interest in BeerdFest 2014.  Your commitment to beards and general awesomeness is noted. BeerdFest is honoured you have chosen to give up your free time to support our hirsute pursuits. The purpose of this event is to increase positive vibes for awesome beards in our community, support men’s mental health charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and to have fun. 

Our event begins at 3pm with a beard grooming masterclass from our judge Cutthroat Pete, then at 4pm beard making and facepainting then 5pm don't miss out on pre-contest pampering for all from Lush Spa Liverpool

3-6pm there's also live acoustic music from awesomely talented BeerdFest friends together with a beard-friendly marketplace featuring soaps, oils, balms and other treats. 

Contesting in the four main categories begins at 7pm and the winners will be announced at 10pm. 

Winners receive a goody bag including prizes from Brian Blessed, Pistonhead Lager, The British Beard Club, Independent Liverpool, Rennies Arts & Crafts and other beardy treats. And respect, of coursicles ;) 

We ask that competitors arrive by 5pm to register and mingle, with 6pm the deadline for contestant registrations. 

If you're coming to enjoy the show, tis up to you when you arrive but the earlier the better as it will offer you the opportunity to see all the competitors up close before official proceedings and hopefully make new friends.

The Process

Each contestant gets their ‘moment in the sun’ on the TashWag Catwalk. They take to the stage and present themselves first to the judges, then to the crowd. 

Contestants will then wait on stage in a line-up until all contestants have presented themselves.

This process is repeated for each category. 

The winner and 2 runner up places for each category are announced at the end of the contest.

Note: In the event of a tie-break the TashWag has the deciding vote.

Categories

Partial

Moustache

Fake

Beard

Criteria

Judges will be voting on:

Length                                   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Density                                 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Presentation (ie. effort, awesomeness, style)

                                                1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Shape/ Creativity              1 2 3 4 5

Crowd Response               1 2 3 4 5

Fake contestants have a slightly different score card:

Creativity                             1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Presentation (ie. effort, awesomeness, style)

                                                1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Daring                                   1 2 3 4 5

Crowd Response               1 2 3 4 5 

Partial

Length shows a commitment to the competitor’s partial facial hair. Sideburns, goatees, mutton chops etc can all be creatively decorated to be rewarded in extra points.

Moustache

Moustache hair is the slowest growing facial hair so length shows further commitment than in other categories. No additional facial hair is permitted on the jaw or lower lip.

Fake

These fakers create their own beard or moustache from any material. It can be real hair, pinecones, roses, popcorn or whatever the heart desires. The winning fake should be a work of art and something to be admired.

Beard

Growing a full natural beard is a testament to patience, good genetics, and good maintenance. Many beards hit capacity length where they can’t grow beyond a certain point because of breakage. Length should be highly regarded, but so should colour, density, and general awesomeness of the beard. No styling products allowed.

Special Award from Roger Philips:

Beard Worth Talking About

This should be one of the most fun categories. Open to both official contestants and audience members. This winner should have the most interesting beard, real or otherwise. Creativity is the key with this freestyle category and anything goes. Styling products and props are allowed.

There are no runners up in this category.

Other awards on the night include:

Best BeerdFester – awarded by the TashWag

Baltic BILF – awarded by the TashWag 

Beard Blind Date - if you want a beardy blind date, sign up when you arrive and the TashWag will endeavour to hook you up! 

Constellations is 35-39 Greenland St, Liverpool off Jamaica St in the Baltic Triangle, its free to participate and just £3 entry otherwise, raising cash for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).