Las Vegas Weekly

November 22, 2010 · 3:18 PM

Movember means cash for your ‘stache

By Mark Adams

The Mustachio Bashio mustache contest participants eagerly await the winner's announcement.

Photo: Mark Adams

Shaving is overrated. Just ask the 40-plus gentlemen who gathered Friday night at the Silverton to compete for the title of Mr. ’Stache 2010.

The competition served as the main attraction at the casino-lodge’s inaugural Mustachio Bashio, a Movember event to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Celebrated internationally, the month of Movember encourages people to put down the razor for 30 days.

Walking in, I immediately noticed that this was no normal night at the Silverton. Mustached men (and a few women) were all around, and I hadn’t even made it to the event venue. Once in, it was clear that the party was on. Bar lines wound around the room, mustached mobs circled around their cocktail cups in conversation, and every beer pong table was in use.

Drinks and pong aside, the real fun was in the people-watching. When everyone around you has a sweet ’stache on, hilarity ensues. The event organizers promoted this by offering free fake mustaches to anyone in need of an upper lip adornment. Failing to make it to Party City prior to the bash, I took the Silverton up on the offer and donned a chestnut handlebar for the night.

The live band’s set came to a close shortly after I arrived, followed by a call for participants to gather for the Mr. ’Stache competition. Judging the hairy lineup were Channel 8 news anchor Dayna Rosselli, a pair of Silverton execs and, of course, the iconic Mr. Hey Reb. The judges chose the top 10 finalists, with audience applause deciding the competition’s winner as well as the first and second runners-up. The title and a $1,000 grand prize went to Henderson resident and Hair Battle Spectacular reality star Josh “Roo” Wixom. The 2010 Mr. ’Stache explained that he simply became a little lazy one day and decided to not shave for a year. “It’s done wonders for my world,” said Wixom.

And it can do wonders for yours, too. No need to wait until next Movember 1; start your ’staches today. Who knows, maybe next year you’ll be the one saluted as the “finest of facial hair.”

For more Movember events, visit the Movember International website at movember.com.

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