With “No Shave November” approaching, an organization has sprung up to provide a haven for beard, mustache and other facial hair enthusiasts.
 
The Bayou Beard Association held its first meeting with 17 charter members Monday at local bar Port Royal after founder Kevin Martin came up with the idea to gather beard lovers in Baton Rouge.
 
“I’ve seen a lot of people with beards in this part of Louisiana,” Martin said. “Why not bring everyone together and have our own group?”
 
The idea for the club originated when Martin began investigating organizations, clubs and competitions that revolved around facial hair, particularly beards, and discovered the World Beard Championship, he said.
 
“I found this beard culture and started contacting people,” Martin said.
 
Ryan Olson, forestry graduate student and one of the founding members of the club, sports a beard and said everyone had a good time at the association’s first meeting.
 
“We voted on our organization’s name and discussed the types of activities our group should participate in,” he said.
 
People don’t have to have a beard to join the club — anybody who supports or appreciates growing facial hair is welcome to join the club and help promote facial hair, Martin said.
 
The association’s main objective is fun, but Martin also wants the club to participate in competitions, hold events and try to diminish negative views of beards, he said.
 
“I’d like to do some good things for charity,” Martin said.
 
Martin said the club plans on building a bowling team for the Komen Bowl for the Cure on Oct. 10 and would like to participate in a beard competition or event within the upcoming year and donate some of the proceeds to charity.
 
The Beard and Mustache Competition in Austin, Texas, is an event the club would like to attend next year, Olson said.
 
Brandon Dixon, French and geology junior who also has a beard, said he would consider joining the club and participating in events.
 
“I’m always up for any sort of charitable event,” he said.
 
Martin said he wants the University to be a big part of the club and will have an event for No Shave November, a popular tradition among college students, which includes not shaving facial hair during the entire month of November.
 
The club will meet again Oct. 25 at Port Royal and will meet at least once a month, Martin said.
 
Martin plans on reaching out to the New Orleans and Lafayette areas to expand the club.
 
The Bayou Beard Association has a Facebook page and urges anyone who understands or appreciates the growing of facial hair to get involved in the club.
 
Martin said growing a beard is a lifestyle choice — it’s about fellowship and a common bond.
 
“I think every person is unique in their facial hair,” Martin said. “Some people grow mammoth beards. Some people grow mustaches. I think your facial hair reflects some of your personality.”
 
 
 
—————
Contact Ferris W. McDaniel at [email protected]