 "Photo: Joe Buglewicz")
Bare Weber tore apart his white T-shirt, shocking a crowd of parents and children and revealing a body covered in the fuzz that would win him this year's title of "The Hairy Man." Weber's antics formed the final part of Round Rock's 10th annual Hairy Man Festival, a children's event and fund-raiser for local charities.
"My mom couldn't keep clothes on me till I was nine," Weber said. "The hair came later."
Though the Hairy Man Festival normally hosts about 10 contestants, this year's contest only had four. Third place Tanto Qruuz said society has caused men to be ashamed of their hair, and potential contestants must have been intimidated by his friend Weber.
"They chickened out," Qruuz said. "They must have seen Bare."
In many ways a typical small town fair with moon walks, face painting and peach cobbler, the Hairy Man Festival focused on a local legend.
Round Rock citizens often speak of a squatter who lived alone by Brushy Creek. Considering the land his private property, the man would hang from trees to scare stagecoaches away. Eventually, one of the coaches ran over him, but his spirit is said to haunt the surrounding area.
Terri Allman, festival operations coordinator, said the Hairy Man legend was chosen as the festival's theme because of its proximity to Halloween. What adults considered a piece of Round Rock folklore, children thought of as "a spooky Halloween story."
"Hairy man is very unique to our community and our area, so it just seemed like a fun thing to do." said Gwen King, a local historian.
With this legend in mind, the Brushy Creek Women's Forum teamed up with the Brushy Creek Municipal Utilities District to sponsor the pre-Halloween festival. Proceeds benefited the Williamson County Children's Advocacy Center and area food banks. Local nonprofit organizations were also encouraged to sponsor games and food booths to raise money for themselves. Allman said the festival probably raised around $2,700 and drew about 5,000 people.
The festival was largely the result of the efforts of 15 women from the Brushy Creek Women's Forum who began planning six months ago. Allman said the event has become an integral part of the Round Rock community.
"People in the surrounding neighborhood look forward to this festival every year," she said.
But the Hairy Man Festival didn't just draw attendees from the surrounding area. Weber drove 50 miles from his hometown in Page, Texas to participate in the event. Though he may have come for the grand prize, a four-day cruise for two, Weber has participated in the festival for the last five years and brings his kids.
"I just wish my oldest daughter could have come," he said. "She's pretty hairy, too."
