Beard faceoff for charity in Wantagh

It's going to be hairy. Mighty mustaches and bodacious beards will be on display Thursday at Mulachy's in Wantagh for an evening exclusively devoted to serious facial hair. Beard Fest, organized by Seaford resident Anthony DiBono, is a night to celebrate the art of growing the fuzz -- whether it's a simple, close-cropped goatee or a full-on flowing beard.

THE LOVE

OF THE FUZZIn many ways, 2013 has been the year of the scruff -- from the facial hair of the Boston Red Sox to the well-bearded men of A&E's cult TV hit "Duck Dynasty." Adding to that, there's the Movember Foundation's annual "No-Shave November" campaign, which encourages men to grow whiskers to raise awareness of men's health issues. The latter inspired DiBono, who works as a tool design engineer, to organize Beard Fest.

"I raised $650 for prostate/testicular cancer last year by fundraising with family and friends, but this year I decided to take it to the next level," says DiBono, 23. His own scruff is impressive -- a full pitch-black beard.

THE BEARDLY BATTLE

Beard Fest is a four-hour tribute to facial hair of all incarnations. About 50 men are expected to compete in the straightforward divisions such as "Best Mustache," "Best Goatee" and "Best Partial" as well as the more unusual "Santa Beard" and "Most Unrealistic Fake Beard," which gives ladies a chance to compete by crafting their own crazy fake beards out of any material they want, DiBono says.

The judging will be done through crowd participation, with head-to-head elimination rounds deciding the tops in each category. Winners get a certificate, a medal and a beard-endorsing wristband. Proceeds from the evening benefit the Movember Foundation.

NOT JUST FOR SUPER-BEARDSAs Beard Fest is as much charity as it is friendly competition, it has attracted many interested in the cause -- and not all who sport supersized scruff.

"I have to keep my beard short, as I work in the medical field," says Matthew D'Albenzio of Levittown. The 23-year-old, who is working on a nursing degree, only started growing his beard in November. "I'm probably going to shave after this contest," he says.

On the other hand, Jason Proct, a 21-year-old aspiring web comedian from Wantagh, has a 7-month-old beard that extends well off his face.

"People are always asking me about it, wanting to touch it, complimenting me," says Proct. He decided to join Beard Fest after seeing a flier for it in the window of a pizza parlor. Regardless of whether he wins, Proct says his bearding is just beginning, "I will go longer, I will go bigger."

As for DiBono, Thursday's competition will be a turning point. "We're auctioning off my beard," he says. The highest bidder can choose the style, and a barber will be there to cut it down until it's all gone.

But not for long.

Says DiBono: "My beard has grown on me."