Mavericks Beach Club in Pacific Beach is holding the Ninth Annual San Diego Fire Department Mustache Madness fundraiser on Thursday, Oct. 17.
This fun event for the follically inclined, which pays homage to local surf culture while striving to aid firefighters, is being held from 5-11 p.m. at 860 Garnet Ave.
Festivities include a live music performance by Hairforce, a premier hair metal tribute show featuring music from iconic bands Motley Crue, Guns N Roses, Queen, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Journey, Poison, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, and Kiss.
There will also be mustache competitions, raffles, a one-of-a-kind silent auction, drink specials, and more. The cost is $20 for general admission and 100% of ticket proceeds benefit Firefighter Aid. Tickets are available on Mavericks’ website, maverickssd.com.
“Firefighter Aid is a San Diego County non-profit that provides charitable assistance to firefighters in crisis and promotes awareness of firefighter health and safety issues,” said Sara Berns, executive director for the San Diego Fire Relief Association and Firefighter Aid. “Occupational cancer for firefighters is so prevalent that in 2022 the IARC (International Agency for Research for Cancer) listed ‘firefighting’ as a group 1 carcinogen. Seventy-two percent of Firefighter deaths in 2023 were from occupational cancer.”
Berns noted Mustache Madness proceeds will go to support the Cancer Awareness Prevention Program (CAPP) and other cancer response efforts. She added, “Firefighter Aid is so grateful to the founders of Mustache Madness and Maverick’s Beach Club for supporting our firefighter community.”
Krista Marcheschi, Mavericks’ events and marketing director at The Verant Group, talked about what men – and women – can expect from the lighthearted event fundraiser.
“The event started at the Firehouse (722 Grand Ave.) and was created by firefighter Sean Brambir with SDFD Station 21 to raise awareness and money for the Firefighter Aid Foundation to help firefighting men and women with medical bills, hotel stays, etc.,” Marcheschi said adding, “It’s a great cause.”
“When I was a newer firefighter one of my academy mates was diagnosed with cancer,” said Brambir. “I wanted to show all of our support for him and his battle so I started SD Mustache Madness. This has created awareness for FirefighterAid CAPP. We have raised over $100,000 over the years. It started out going to the UCSD Foundation for cancer research, but now funds go to Firefighter Aid. Unfortunately, cancer is still an issue amongst us firefighters new and old.”
Marcheschi said Mustache Madness, paused during the pandemic, quickly outgrew its original venue, which was when it was moved to more spacious Mavericks, where it has prospered. “In the last three years, the event has raised over $80,000, last year making about $60,000 from ticket sales, raffle donations, merchandise, and silent auction prizes,” she said adding, in years past, the event has drawn from 400 to nearly 1,800 participants.
Marcheschi noted the event will include live entertainment including roving magicians. There will also be multiple mustache competitions including “Best In Grow,” “Best She Stash,” “Biggest Stash,” “Most Classy Stash” and the “Ron Burgundy Award.”
“It comes during a time when wildfires are at an all-time high and you’re seeing many people displaced, while firefighters are putting their lives at stake with smoke inhalation, etc.,” noted Marcheschi adding, “Firefighter Aid is there to help them. And we’re (Mavericks) there in turn to help firefighters and their families.”
MUSTACHE MADNESS
When: 5-11 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17.
Where: Mavericks Beach Club, 860 Garnet Ave.
Información: maverickssd.com.
