photo by: Ogden Publications

Jermaine Jackson is a barber at Watson's Barbershop, 925 Iowa St.

An upcoming event aims to put the art of barbering on display, and local barber Jermaine Jackson is expecting folks from around the region to show up with their scissors, clippers and a competitive spirit.

The barbering contest, sponsored by Lawrence Magazine, eXplore Lawrence and Watson’s Barbershop, where Jackson works, is slated for 3 to 8 p.m. Feb. 5 at Venue 1235, 1235 N. Third St. in North Lawrence.

The competition is rooted in Black barbershop contests, but this event is open to all, Jackson emphasized, including women.

“It’s open to everyone — whoever wants to jump in, it’s fine,” he said. “We want everybody to come.”

photo by: Ogden Publications

A close-up of a haircut at Watson’s Barbershop, 925 Iowa St.

Categories will include Best Bald Fade, Best Combover, Best Old School and Best Design, among others. Contestants must be licensed barbers and they can just show up, Jackson said, but those sitting in the barber chairs need to let Jackson know by Jan. 20 if they would like to participate and in what category so that he can organize contest brackets; they can reach Jackson at 785-691-9372.

In addition to the entertaining hair competition, the event will honor three local barbers with lifetime achievement awards and will also include food, drink and various vendors. Admission is $20 for members of the general public and $10 for students and seniors.

Jackson believes this is the first competition of its type in Lawrence, though several years ago he served as a judge in a competition that his brother organized in Overland Park, which he says got a good response.

“Hopefully this contest generates a lot of interest and we can do it on a yearly basis,” Jackson said, “and celebrate the barbershop brotherhood.”