March Mustache Madness

Some Men Across the Country Are growing Out Their Facial Hair to Help Support a Charity

As spring approaches, many people are starting to tidy up and get ready for some cleaning. But some men across the country are choosing not to have a clean-shaven face to help support March Mustache Madness. Mustache Madness is an event that raises funds for children with cancer while celebrating the different kinds of mustaches that guys can grow. The event is sponsored by the Follicle Foundation and has been held for the past few years.

Photo by Kevin Stueber

Adam Niemi and Brett Adcox sport the same style 'stache.

“The popularity of mustaches has ebbed and waned throughout the ages, and in America today we find ourself at a low point of mustache acceptance,” The Follicle Foundation’s Web site states. “Our goal is threefold. Revive a once-glorious grooming practice, humiliate ourselves in the process and raise some cash for a worthy cause.” There are different standards that people adhere to when taking part of Mustache Madness, but there are some rules set in place by the Follicle Freedom Foundation. These rules include standards on what defines a mustache and when people can start growing their facial hair out. On March 1, all participants are supposed to have a clean-shaven face. By March 15, all other facial hair is supposed to be shaved off except for the mustache. A mustache is defined as a tract of hair on the upper lip, separated from all other facial hair by at least one centimeter. “I don’t plan on following any of the rules or taking part in the national event,” mustache enthusiast Adam Niemi said. “I just want to see all my friends with facial hair and have a crazy mustache party at the end of March.” The national event takes place on March 31, in Milwaukee, Wis., where final judging and a chili cook off will take place. Contestants from all over the country travel to the event, but they do not need to be present to win one of the coveted mustache prizes. Some of the categories that people can enter into include best in show, most fitting mustache, most disturbing and the “dirtlip” category. This ensures that people with all variations of mustaches can take part in the event. “I know some people that just can’t grow facial hair, so they end up with a tiny patch of hair on their upper lip,” Niemi said. “From what I’ve heard that’s what a dirtlip or dirtstache is.” Beyond fun and recognition in the mustache world, contestants also grow out their facial hair in support of a charity supported by the organization. Entries into the competition cost $20, and all proceeds are being donated to the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer fund. The idea of Mustache March was inspired by Lance Armstrong’s “Live Strong” fundraiser, where bracelets were sold to help fight cancer. Both of these fundraisers are what are being called “temporary cultural movements for the benefit of charity,” according to the group’s Web site. “What if there was a way to humiliate oneself in the process of earning money for charity? What if a bunch of people were to grow mustaches for a month and ask for charitable donations during the process,” the group’s Web page said. “That has ‘temporary cultural movement for the benefit of charity’ written all over it.” Like the Live Strong campaign, March Mustache Madness is growing in popularity and is raising more funds to donate to charity. Last year, the Follicle Freedom Foundation raised $6,000 to donate to the fight against childhood cancer. “It’s a cool idea. I had no idea that it was an actual nationwide event,” first time March Madness participant Ryan Bergen said. “But if it’s for a good cause I can go for looking ridiculous for a month and growing out the dirtiest mustache I can.” For further information, the Follicle Freedom Foundation’s manifesto or for pictures of previous winners, visit or go to the group’s Web site at www.mustachemarch.com.

Written March 12, 2009

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