F E B R U A R Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 3 • W O R C E S T E R M A G . C O M 17

art | dining | nightlife| February 21 - 27, 2013 night&dayPHOTOS/STEVEN KING

A WHISKERED

WONDERLAND page 18

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18 W O R C E S T E R M A G . C O M • F E B R U A R Y 2 1 , 2 0 1 3

A Whiskered WonderlandJosh Lyford

On Saturday, March 2 the fi rst trenches will be dug for a war of the beards, a sort of battleground, where beard-growing gentlemen and afi cionados can come together in mutual, furry respect. That’s right Worcester, be prepared to enjoy the “Whiskered Wonderland” bearding competition at Ralph’s Diner.

A congenial head nod to a well-bearded stranger is nothing new; in fact, very few can resist the might and respect of a well-grown and well-kept beard. “Bearding” as a stand-up, take-down, competition, while already well established in Europe, is just now beginning to take up national interest.

Which, is fantastic for Worcester. Why? Walk across Kelley Square or down Highland street and you’ll be hard pressed not to fi nd some fantastic facial hair. Walk into any bar in the city and you will be greeted by twitching mustaches and dangling beards, sweeping out over a sea of fl annel.

Brad Petrinec is no stranger to the might of a well-groomed beard. He competes in bearding competitions himself and has even won some of these with his immaculate facial hair. Petrinec originally hails from Detroit, Michigan and upon visiting his brother, in residency at UMass Medical, enjoyed himself so much that he decided he would stake his own claim in central Massachusetts.

“I started off growing a handlebar mustache,” Petrinec recalls over coffee at NU Café on Chandler Street. “I worked in a restaurant and I couldn’t have a full beard. I’ve had sideburns since I was 15 and I just always liked facial hair.”

He enjoyed the bearding events so much that he decided that it was time to set something up in Worcester. “I’m just trying to bring

the community together, do something good and have fun,” says Petrinec. “Mainly, just trying to throw a fun event.” Petrinec met with the Boston Beard Bureau and the wheels were in motion. “It’s fun to get on stage and have people cheer for you,” Petrinec says of the bearding events. “I found something where I can step on stage in front of people and have a great time.”

Categories for the Whiskered Wonderland bearding competition include both freestyle and natural events: “freestyle” relishing the grandiose and even eccentric vision of the beardee and “natural” celebrating the mesmerizing glamour of an impressive (and natural) beard. There are categories representing full beards, partial beards and mustaches. Ladies, don’t worry, there is even a category for fake beards and mustaches. This will truly be a night of facial hair celebration to remember. There will be prizes for the winners of each category, as well as an awesome raffl e with great prizes and some amazing surprises.

Not enticed enough by the beards alone? Well, luckily, there are plenty of other great reasons to

swing by the event. Worcester’s own (and often bearded) Sawmill band will be performing

its brand of punk-infl uenced bluesy-folk music. Henry’s Rifl e will also

be performing its country-folk infusion by way of Albany,

New York. Shaun Connolly will be playing host to the evening and if you have ever seen Shaun’s stand-up, you know his hilarious and oft-confrontational comedy style is one-of-a-kind.

If all of that wasn’t enough to convince you that this will be the best beard-centric night of your entire life, keep in mind that this is all for a good cause. All proceeds are being donated to the Child Life Fund at the UMass Memorial Children’s Healthcare Center. “We bring fun into the

medical center, as well as help children and families understand and cope with healthcare experiences,” says

Rob Wing, director of the Child Life Department. “We

rely on donors like Brad to help us provide our services. Without

these types of events we would not be able to provide the services

we provide to children.”So, head to Ralph’s, 148 Grove St.

on March 2 for a chance to bow to the beard, enjoy some great bands and have

an amazing time, all for charity. To quote the late J.R.R. Tolkien - “May your beard

grow ever longer!”

STEVEN KING