Police shut down beard, moustache party at Speakeasy

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Created on Monday, 14 November 2011 22:12

Jared Oreias, a tattoo artist with Speakeasy, enjoys the revelry at the Speakeasy beard and moustache competetion Sunday night, Nov. 13. Photo by Erika Barnett | The Appalachian

Speakeasy Tattoo Co. hosted its third annual beard and moustache competition Sunday night, in celebration of the shop’s third anniversary.

However, police cut the celebration short at 10:30 p.m., right before the beard and moustache competition judging.

“[The police] said the event wasn’t business related,” said Anthony French, tattoo artist at Speakeasy.

The event started at 7 p.m. and French said it was supposed to last “until the beer ran out.”

“We still have one or two kegs left,” he said. “Everyone was super bummed.”

Greg Kinnamon, owner of Speakeasy, said the event was in no way connected to No Shave November and was simply an idea he came up with to get Boone residents interested in the shop.

“What better way to get the college kids involved than to do something with facial hair,” Kinnamon said.

The party took place outside the shop on West King Street and was open to anyone 21 and older.

“If you’re going to have a party, you might as well invite everyone,” Kinnamon said.

Local band DrawlStrings performed live music throughout the night, entertaining guests as they filled up on free beer.

This tradition began three years ago as a way to celebrate the anniversary of the shop’s Friday the 13th grand opening in November 2008.

Kinnamon said he wanted to open the shop on that day so that every few years the party would fall on Friday the 13th.

The evening concluded with a facial hair competition, open to both male and female guests.

“The women really go all out,” French said. “It’s a fun time for both genders.”

Guests were encouraged to sign up for the category they felt best exemplified their facial hair.

Categories for the competition included: grizzly (for those with untamed hair), creeper stash (for the moustache crowd), presidential (for the well groomed), I’m really trying here (for those lacking in the facial hair department), facial hair with props (for the female demographic), unique and white trash.

The audience would have decided the winners of the competition, based on how loudly they cheered, had the event not been shut down by police.

Miqula De Leon, one of the female contenders, made sideburns and a goatee out of yarn.

“Unbeknownst to me there is a white trash category, so I think I’m going to sign up for that,” De Leon said.

Guests were also invited to enter a raffle for the chance to win prizes, including gifts cards to Speakeasy for varying amounts as well as gift cards to local businesses, including Melanie’s, Vidalia, Mellow Mushroom, Expressions and Haircut 101.

Kinnamon said the party is humorous, especially by the end of the night.

“It has more to do with the culture of Boone than anything else,” he said. “I like to do something that no one else is doing.”

The fourth annual moustache and beard party is scheduled for the same time and place next year.

“It’s always a really rad event,” said French. “Every party needs a theme.”

Story: DANIELLE WATKINS, Intern Lifestyles Reporter
Photo: ERIKA BARNETT, Intern Photographer