[Photos] The pursuit of hairiness: 826 Boston's annual moustache-a-thon

After many days packed with feats of extreme beardiness, 826 Boston's Moustache-A-Thon fundraiser is in its final week of both natural and artificial facial hair cultivation. Thus far, 52 growers and 13 teams have raised nearly $12,500, contributing to a total of $30,000 raised by volunteer-led efforts this year.

Last month's festvities kicked off at 826 Boston's Egleston Square HQ with a "Sacrificial Shave," in which a man trimmed his full beard into a handlebar ‘stache (while Bert Reynolds movies played in the background) to signify the beginning of this Moustach-A-Thon artwork. Moustache imagery was all-pervasive at the event: moustache cookies (per donated, custom-made cookie cutters from the nice folks at Petsi Pies), moustache horseshoes, pin-the-moustache-on-the-donkey ... we needn't continue. The Gentlemen Songsters of Lowell made an appearance in the style of a barbershop quartet (some moustaches included).

The Roxbury-based nonprofit, dedicated to fostering Boston Public Schools students' creative and academic writing skills, hosts a moustache-themed fundraiser each year. This year, participants were encouraged to grow their own natural hair, but many of the ladies have opted to "craft, balloon, stitch, sew and bedazzle" their own moustaches, according to the organization's Store and Events Coordinator, Sara Skolnick.

The fundraiser will end with a Dead Author's Ball at the Burren in Somerville. Participants are encouraged to arrive donning the styles of their favorite classic, dead author (wigs are strongly encouraged). For the first time in the history of the fundraiser, the ball will conclude with a Dead Authors Dance Party (DADP, for short), featuring the Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band. Awards such as the Moustache Congeniality Sash will recognize growers who were most successful in their fundraising efforts.

The Ball will be from 7:00 to 9:00 PM on Thursday, March 29, and is open to the public. Submissions to the fundraiser are being accepted up to the final event and can be made at 826 Boston's website.