San Juan Capistrano : Group Is Looking for a Few Good Hairy Men

Hairy men are in demand in San Juan Capistrano--at least those who can grow a good beard in less than 2 1/2 months.

The San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Assn., a nonprofit community group, is encouraging men to groom themselves for the annual Hairiest Man beard contest. The contest is part of the weeklong Fiesta de las Golondrinas, or Festival of the Swallows.

Fiesta week is set to coincide with the annual return of the swallows to the town’s mission. Each year the swallows spend their winter in South America and return to San Juan Capistrano on or about St. Joseph’s Day, March 19.

The Hairiest Man beard contest is a special fiesta event scheduled for March 20. The rules for the contest are simple: All interested men must be clean-shaven when they sign up at one of several locations between New Year’s Day and Jan. 15.

There is a $3 entry fee and participants can compete in the categories of best groomed, best looking, best trimmed, longest, most imaginative and grubbiest.

The sign-up locations are at City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, Don Julien Imports, Cafe Capistrano, Swallow’s Inn, Donale’s San Juan Saloon, Glendale Federal Savings’ escrow office and Great American First Savings Bank.