East Tennessee represented in National Beard and Moustache Championships

 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Two men from East Tennessee join hundreds of competitors from around the country in Nashville this weekend to compete for the best in beards.

 

Eric Schmitt-Matzen of Caryville has been a professional Santa for five years, but this is his first year in competitive bearding. This weekend will be his fourth competition.
 

When it comes to judging he says, "It's how it looks on you, there aren't any certain criteria for each."
 

He'll be competing in the "natural beard and styled moustache" category against numerous others including Loudon native Daniel "DC" Cunningham.
 

Cunningham started the Marble City Beard Club here in Knoxville. He says when it comes to bearded men he says, "we're trying to shed more light on the bearding community where all we are is big bearded softy teddy bears kind of guys."
 

If you're thinking of growing your beard out, both men say to avoid styling products with alcohol as an ingredient.
 

There are 14 categories at this weekend's championships. You can learn more about them by clicking here http://www.nationalbeardchampionships.com/categories/
 

$1 from every ticket sold to this weekend's competition goes to the Tennessee Wildlife Federation's Hunters for the Hungry program.