WORTHINGTON — This summer, Worthington will celebrate its 250th anniversary as an incorporated town. While many festivities are being planned for the big event, one in particular may prove to be a little hair-raising.
Community members are being invited to participate in a beard-growing contest. to start on Jan. 6. Contestants will have just over five months to cultivate their burgeoning bristles, which will then be judged at the opening ceremonies for the Worthington 250 celebration on June 29.
People will be able to compete in one of three categories: the longest beard starting from a clean shave, the longest beard starting from a bearded face, and the most stylish/creative beard.
Those who wish to participate are invited to stop by Town Hall on Saturday, Jan. 6, between 10 a.m. and noon to sign up and be photographed.
According to the All About Beards website (beards.org), cities and towns often hold beard-growing contests in conjunction with celebrations of historic anniversaries. In 2015, Ashfield celebrated its 250th anniversary with a beard-growing contest.
Writer Erika Janik notes that beards have been grown through the centuries to convey virility, social status, religious beliefs and fashion and have gone in and out of favor for a variety of reasons.
So what might Worthington’s founding fathers think if they could see the current popularity of beard-growing contests?
In 1768, when the town was incorporated, beards were definitely on the fashion outs, and it was the clean-shaven face that was in vogue and respectable. Indeed the country’s founding fathers themselves were a beardless bunch.
During the American Revolution even soldiers in the field were expected to keep themselves clean shaven.
However, by the time the Civil War rolled around beards were back in all their bushy glory, along with moustaches, goatees and muttonchops.
Nowadays, it’s easy to find tips in fashion magazines on the various ways to style one’s beard. For those looking forward to participating in Worthington’s whiskered event, inspiration for that most stylish/creative beard category is at their fingertips.
Additional information on the competition will be available at registration on Jan. 6.
WILLIAMSBURG — Start the first day of the new year with a scenic 1.5-mile hike to the overlook at Briar Hill Conservation Area.
On Monday, Jan. 1, at 10 a.m., people will gather at the trailhead on Briar Hill Road. The hike begins in a young hardwood forest, crosses Cold Brook and climbs through hemlock, oak and hickory stands to a vista overlooking the northern parts of Williamsburg.
All are welcome. For more information, call 268-7523.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.