Got beard? Preparations for Oyens Centennial getting hairy

That's right, it's almost time for men who plan to compete in the Brothers of the Brush contest for the Oyens Centennial Celebration, June 5 and 6, to start grooming their beards.

Cheri Christman, Oyen's mayor and co-coordinator of the town's 100th year celebration, said the beard growing contest is tradition -- one that started at least 50 years ago.

"It's something that goes over really well with the guys," Christman said. "It gives them an excuse not to shave."

Bob Gengler, an Oyens resident, who participated in the Brothers of the Brush contest in 1984 during the 75-year jubilee, won for the longest beard.

"I didn't shave or cut my hair for about six months," Gengler said.

The beard growing contest provides an outlet to help get the men involved in the celebration, Christman said.

"They range in age from adolescents to 70s and 80s," she said.

The Brothers of the Brush contest will end June 6 with winners determined by female judges in seven categories -- longest, ugliest, whitest, reddest, best groomed, mustache and goatee.

"We had some of the ladies in the community doing some judging," Gengler said. "You kind of had to schmooze them a little bit to win."

Gengler plans to be involved in the beard growing contest again this year, but said he probably won't go for the longest or ugliest category.

"That was 25 years ago," he said. "I could probably go for Santa Claus now."

Gengler agreed with Christman that Brothers of the Brush is always well received, but he doesn't know what the younger generation will do.

"We had a lot of fun with it," Gengler said. "I hope everybody gets involved."

Of all the beards Christman looked at in the 75th celebration in 1984, shortly after moving to Oyens, one sticks out in her mind, she said.

"He had a mustache. He had the ends waxed and they curled up," she said. "That was pretty funny."

Contestants that decide to shave before the contest this summer will have to pay $5 for a shaving permit pin.

"There could be repercussions for shaving," Christman said. Those details have yet to be worked out.

Participants that don't shave will pay a $3 entry fee.

But the Oyens Centennial Celebration is not only about hairy faces, there will also be an Oyens Little Princess contest for girls ages 5-12 and an Oyens Queen contest for teens ages 13 to 18.

Contestants in all three of those competitions must live in the Oyens Fire District.

An Oyens Senior King and Queen will also be crowned. Seniors age 70 or older that live within Oyens city limits are eligible to compete.

Individuals and families can also participate in the Oyens Centennial Costume Contest. Participants will be judged in several categories including most original, most pioneer, most elegant, best combination and best family group.

Those interested in competing in Brothers of the Brush, any of the royalty or the costume contests can sign up during a chili kick-off supper from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 10 at St. Catherine's School, in Oyens.

Other activities during the Oyens Centennial Celebration June 5 and 6 will include a parade, kids games, a church service, a chainsaw sculptor, a kiddie parade, a street dance and a beer garden.

"People come back for it. We draw from nearby areas," Christman said of the celebration, which comes around every 25 years.

"We like to have a good time," she said. "We make sure it's not a disappointment for anybody."

Anyone with questions concerning the Oyens Centennial Celebration can contact Christman at 546-4638 or co-coordinator Stacey Schroeder at 546-8711.