Men, stop shaving your whiskers. Women, pull your frilliest hat out of storage.

Next month, the best beard or mustache could win some man a crisp $100 bill. The same will be presented to the woman with the best hat or bonnet.

The contest is being held in conjunction with the city of Athens’ bicentennial event, set for the weekend of Nov. 17 in downtown Athens. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Limestone County Archives.

Tom Stevenson, president of the group and a retired history teacher, said his father took part in a similar contest in 1968, the year Athens celebrated its sesquicentennial. That year, it was known as the “Brothers of the Brush” contest, and Hugo Bates was declared the winner.

Stevenson said he can remember his father and many other men in the community growing their beards for the occasion.

“I was fascinated by the interest they took in an older-looking time like the 1800s,” he said.

When ideas for the bicentennial were being hatched, Stevenson said reviving the idea seemed like a natural fit. He also introduced the idea of judging the best-looking hat or bonnet so the ladies of the community could be involved.

“Everybody was real enthusiastic about it,” he said. “I think we’ll have a local barber judge, but we’ll have some other judges, too.”

Stevenson has immersed himself in the spirit of the event and is growing a handlebar mustache. He has also purchased a top hat.

“It’s still a work in progress, but I’m about two months in,” he said. “I found out you can’t buy mustache wax around here. I have to order it online.”

He hopes others who plan to attend the bicentennial embrace the spirit of the event, too.

“We only turn 200 years old but once,” he said. “Let your hair down and celebrate the day.”

Limestone County Archivist Rebekah Davis said she’s looking forward to the unique contest. When asked how men in Limestone County tended their facial hair in the 19th century, she said the wealthy went to the barber. Everyone else was forced to use a straight razor at home.

A couple of years ago, the archives posted numerous photos of bearded and mustachioed men to its Facebook page as an homage to No-Shave November. The annual observance is designed to bring awareness to fighting cancer.

“Some had handlebar mustaches, full beards or mutton chops,” Davis said. “Sometimes it helps us to date photos just based on what the facial hair looks like.”