Yes, there are rules.  This is not just an Earl Hickey look-alike competition; we want to get started on the right ‘stache:

1. For 2008:  Between Monday, November 10, and Friday, November 14 all participants will shave their faces clean of any and all facial hair. This includes, but is not limited to, Mustaches, beards, goatees, muttonchops, chinstraps, soul patches, fu manchus, neckbeards (aka, scarves), sideburns that extend below the earlobe, and van dykes.

2. For three and a half weeks sweet Mustaches will be grown for the world to behold. During that time, there will be periodic Mustache Checkpoint Days, at bars throughout Nashville.  All involved will shave their mugs on Checkpoint Days, save for the area above their upper lips.  No fair growing a full beard or goatee for a month, and then shaving down to just the Mustache.  The Mustache must only stretch from one corner of your mouth to the other corner.

3. No Hitler Mustaches are allowed.

4. The use of growth hormones and coloring agents is not condoned or sanctioned by Mustaches for Kids.  We feel that these Mustache Growing Performance Enhancers violate the spirit of the contest.

5. Though the Mustache Checkpoints are not mandatory - Mustaches for Kids believes in the Honor System - they are a great opportunity to encourage your Mustache brothers-in-arms during the growing season.  Mustaches for Kids representatives will be available at all Checkpoints to address any Mustache questions or concerns.  And we will drink beer.

6. With such burgeoning Mustaches firmly in place, fundraising should be a walk in the park.  The minimum Pledge Goal for each Grower should be $50.00 for The Michael Stanly Child Life Fund, C/O Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, but in no way should anyone be discouraged from participating in the contest because he doesn’t think he can make the Pledge Goal - $5 or $500, it goes to a good cause. Please be aware of and obey all local laws when soliciting donations.

7. While Mustaches for Kids does not endorse trash-talking or making disparaging comments of any kind about another Grower’s Mustache, there are a number of unsubstantiated medical theories that verbal Mustache Abuse stimulates follicle growth.

8. When all is said and done, a Mustache Competition will be held on Friday, December 14th, where a panel of judges will select the Sweetest ‘Stache, using a complicated, and very scientific, set of criteria; Mustaches will be judged solely on those standards.  The Worst ‘Stache will also be recognized, as will excellence in fundraising performance.  Race, creed, nationality, sexual orientation, and popularity will not be taken into consideration.  Booing will not be tolerated, especially by rival competitors; this is for charity, after all.  Much like the Mustache Checkpoints, the final judging should foster a party-like atmosphere to celebrate the fruits of everyone’s Mustache labors.

9. While the Growing Season will end after four weeks, there is no deadline for fundraising. There are 2 ways to donate. BY CHECK: Checks should be made payable to The Michael Stanly Child Life Fund, and can be mailed directly to the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital or can be sent to the address in the footer; or given to a participating Stacheville Grower.  ALL proceeds go directly to The Michael Stanly Child Life Fund, C/O Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, which is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.

10. Good luck and good growing.