Hosted by Chico Beard CollectiveSaturday, November 1, 2026
CHECK IN - 3:00pm until 4:30pm.
Chico Beard Collective, hereby referred to as CBC, is thrilled to announce the 16th Novembeard Competition! For the first nine years, the CBC donated all funds from this event to The North Valley Community Foundation to directly benefit Music and Arts programs at both Pleasant Valley and Chico High School. After the devastation of the Camp Fire, the CBC decided to divert funds to Paradise High School, and over $4,000 was raised to support their Music and Arts programs. This year, the funds will once again support Chico and PV High School Music & Arts.
The Rules: On the first day of Novembeard (Clean Shaven Day), Saturday, November 1st, participants will shave their faces clean of any and all facial hair by 3:00pm. This includes, but is not limited to mustaches, beards, goatees, mutton chops, soul patches, and Van Dykes. Side burns MUST be removed straight across the top of the ear. If not, we will have clippers on hand to remove them for you. 😉 If you are currently sporting a glorious beard like me, perhaps you can begin your fundraising by asking others to donate funds to get you to SHAVE off said beard. (I personally raised $200 in 2019 just to shave it off!) Maybe your Mom misses your babyface? Or, your girlfriend can't stand the scratchiness? Well... then get them to put their money where their mouth is!
You must arrive at the designated location, Woodstock's Pizza at 240 Main St. in Chico, between 3:00 & 4:30pm to register and receive "clean shaven approval" from our Chief Facial Officer. At this time the minimum pledge goal of $25 must be submitted. Check in will only take a few minutes, but you are encouraged to hang out with your fellow "Brothers-in-Beard" and enjoy a their wide selection of libations and tasty pizza pie! *We will be there until 4:30, but please try to be there as close to 3:00 as possible. Woodstock's has also generously given us a fundraising opportunity by donated a percentage of proceeds to our cause if you mention "NOVEMBEARD" when ordering. This includes ALL menu items, including alcohol! Again, check in will only take a few minutes, and then you're free to eat. drink, mingle, and raise funds for the cause or be on your silky smooth way!
Novembeard Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: I am a woman. Can I join?
A: CBC does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of sex, age, nationality, or other stuff. Anyone can raise money for the cause. Just remember, the beard is more in the heart than on the face.
Q: I want to do it, but I'm scared.
A: That's not really a question, but we will respond nonetheless. We suggest you suck it up and take one for the team. It's a good cause, and you'll have fun.
Q: I'm very sensitive. What if people make fun of me?
A: Stare them down like Zeus from Mt. Olympus, and declare, "It's for the kids." Then ask them for a donation.
Q: Why are we doing this, philosophically speaking?
A: CBC is not your typical fundraising organization. The demographic that is drawn to this competition sadly is not one that is necessarily known for philanthropy. So we think it's a great opportunity for people to do good and have a good time doing it.
Q: Are you sure this isn't a joke?
A: Yes.
Q: Swear?
A: We swear on the oath of the beard that this is not a joke.
Q: So how does the fundraising part work?
A: While growing a beard is certainly fun, we're doing it for a reason: to raise money for charity! We've all had athletic friends who run long races, or kids who do jog-a-thons, to raise money for a cause. During their training, they ask for pledges. So think of growing a beard as a physically undemanding, but spiritually rewarding, version of running a race.
Novembeard 2025: Rules & Calendar
Every good competition has its own set of unique rules. To keep it fair. To keep it on the up-and-up. To keep it...interesting. If you want to play, you have to pay. Here are the official rules for Novembeard, brought to you by the Chico Beard Collective:
The use of growth hormones or coloring agents is not condoned or sanctioned by The CBC. We feel that performance enhancers violate the spirit of the contest. The minimum pledge goal of each participant is $25. But no potential Grower should be discouraged because he doesn't think he can make the Pledge Goal. All the money goes to a good cause. We do ask, of course, that growers be aware of and obey all local laws when soliciting donations. We don't know what these laws are, but we're pretty sure they exist. For example, while merchandising is encouraged, sales tax regulations may apply. And all profits must be donated. Also, Growers are encouraged to contact their employers regarding so-called matching contributions. In addition, Growers will also seek out raffle and auction items for the Beard Bash. While the growing period will end after four weeks, there is NO DEADLINE for fundraising. But, there will be a prize for the contestant who raises the most cash during these four weeks, so bring your total collections to the Novembeard Bash!
On the first day of the event (Clean Shaven Day) Sunday, November 1st, participants will shave their faces clean of any and all facial hair at 3:00pm. This includes, but is not limited to, mustaches, beards, goatees, mutton chops,soul patches, and Van Dykes. Yes, sideburns must be taken off across the TOP of the ear. You must arrive at the designated location @ 6pm to register and receive "clean shaven approval." At this time the minimum pledge goal of $25 must be submitted. For the duration of four weeks, EPIC beards will be grown for the world to behold. Within that time, there will be weekly BEARD CHECKPOINT DAYS. These events are not mandatory--we do, after all, believe in the honor system--but they are a great opportunity to meet and encourage your brothers-in-beard during the growing period. A representative of CBC will be available at each checkpoint to discuss any and all Beard related issues. If you lack the availability, but you have the technology, you can also post weekly pics at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chico-Beard-Collective or email pics to [email protected]
This contest was originally created to see who could achieve the most growth in just four weeks. In the past, there has been a “no grooming” rule, but the CBC recognizes that not all professions are as lenient when it comes to facial hair. So, in order to avoid turning away prospective contestants…and their money, we will allow those people to groom as needed. Helpful Hint: If the need to use that razor arises, feel free to do a little manscaping in other areas of the body. Perhaps that will help alleviate your new found razor separation anxiety. Judging categories include length, fullness, color and texture. Breaking any of the above rules will result in an automatic deduction of contestants point total. Beards come in all shapes, colors and sizes…and we celebrate them all! So suck it up and wear it with pride, even if it is multicolored, patchy or non existent all together!
Calendar of Events:
Sunday, November 1: CLEAN SHAVEN DAY! - Woodstock's Pizza @ 3pm.
Monday, November 9th: Checkpoint #1 – TBA @ 5:15pm.
Monday, November 16th: Checkpoint #2 - TBA @ 5:15pm.
Monday, November 23rd: Checkpoint #3 - TBA @ 5:15pm.
Saturday, November 28th: NOVEMBEARD BASH! – Chico Eagles Hall @ 7:00pm!
Jeremy V
Chairman of the Beard
Event venue
Woodstock's Pizza Chico, 240 Main St, Chico, CA 95928-5371, United States
Tickets
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