How 'mo' can you grow?

You may have noticed a drastic increase in the number of men donning cheesy facial hair as of late.

No, we haven't time-warped back to the 70s.

It's Movember, baby!

The annual world-wide month-long awareness and fundraising event encourages men to grow a "mo" in order to show support and open discussions about men's health, namely prostate cancer.

There are a few Movember teams and numerous individuals in the Sault area that have taken up the cause, including an official team of City of Sault Ste. Marie employees, which currently sits at 83 members strong, and the 18-member Sault Ste. Marie Chapter.

A variety of fundraising events have, and will take place around the city during the month of Movember, including a gala celebration at Loplops on Movember 30 (details below).

To wrap it all up, Wacky Wings has joined forces with Rickard's Red to host a 'Shave Off Party' on December 1 at both the Lake Street and Great Northern Road locations.

Men are encouraged to register their 'stache beginning at 8 p.m. to be critiqued by a panel of judges for the chance to win a variety of fabulous prizes, the grand prize being a Rickard's Red Movember beer fridge.

Mo categories include best baby-face 'stache, best designer 'stache and most original 'stache.

For more information, please click here.

Full text of a news release issued by the Movember Sault Ste. Marie Chapter follows.

**************************** On behalf of Movember, the Sault Ste. Marie Chapter, we would like invite all Movember participants, Mo Bros, Mo Sistas, supporters, donors and general moustache enthusiasts to join us at the 2nd annual Movember Gala on Wednesday, Movember 30 at 9 p.m. hosted at Loplops Gallery-Lounge, 651 Queen Street East.

Here is some brief information about the international fundraising event called Movember:

"During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in Canada and around the world. With their 'mo’s', these men raise vital funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer. All funds raised throughout the month go directly to Prostate Cancer Research and early detection programs."

The Movember Gala is a ticketed event and provides a venue to showcase the moustaches or "Mo’s" grown over the month and congratulate the participants on a job well done.

The celebration will begin with SSM’s premiere 'stache rock band, Love Rug, and a special burlesque performance by the Salty Mollies.

The night will also include a handsome man portrait studio, silent auction, door prizes, and fancy limited edition SSM Movember merchandise.

Tickets are $10 and available online at www.loplops.com or at the lounge.

This event is expected to sell out fast and will be quite the hairy night.

The Movember Gala is proudly sponsored by SK Group, Case's Music, the Rad Zone, Wine Barrel and Wine Cellar, and InHouse Graphic Design.

Donate to the team by visiting here and search "Sault Ste. Marie Chapter".   ****************************