Gentlemen of excess hair showed up in Arrowtown yesterday to start the 11-week challenge with a clean slate and to be publicly shaved in front of a interested crowd.
As of yesterday, the men will begin to accumulate hair on their chins and upper lips in order to win one of eight beard categories: best overall beard, longest, thickest, most original, best salt and pepper, best effort, best moustache and even best female ...
Contestants must grow their hair until October 22, when judges will roll out the combs and measuring tapes, and rules are strict.
A competitor must start from a clean pallette, shaving and trimming was "frowned upon", only fire brigade members are exempt from growing a full-faced beard and contestants must be prepared to be posted on social networking websites such as Facebook.
The closing day will host an official "shave-off" ceremony.
Three local men, Taylor Reed, Grant Taylor and Dave van der Zwet, all had their faces shaved clean yesterday for the competition and each had a beard-growing tip to share.
Mr Taylor would be drinking red wine of the pinot noir variety, Mr van der Zwet eating steak of the beef variety, and Mr Reed, who is taking part for the third time running, will be growing a beard of the "Father Christmas" variety.
The competition runs in conjunction with Arrowtown's 150 Years of Gold celebrations starting in October.
Host and organiser of both events Julie Hughes said she wants the community and those from outside to get involved in this year's milestone as it helps get Arrowtown on the map and recognised for its original beginnings, the gold mining industry.
"We want people to know this history.
"Arrowtown was born through gold.
"It's those original roots that make us unique today.
"We want to offer something completely and utterly unique and we want it to stick in the memories of people present."
During the celebrations, 30 events will run over four days and 90% of those will be free of charge for the public.
Mrs Hughes said the beard growers would be useful in the October 21 Gold 150 re-enactment of when gold was first discovered in the Arrow River, the day before the men will have their beards judged and shaved.
"We want these beards authentic.
"There will be no stick-ons for this show.
"Yesterday's shave was all about starting on an "even playing field", she said.
"It's all about the hairiness."
Those wishing to act in the 200-cast re-enactment were welcome, even without a beard.
