Philly's Bald Fest aims to head off stigma
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Image: Courtesy of Robert Capron
A new festival is setting out to celebrate the beauty of baldness.
Why it matters: Philly's Bald Fest, planned for later this month, has gone viral, turning a would-be indie pop-up into an event expected to draw big crowds.
Driving the news: Bald Fest is expected to take place at Grays Ferry Crescent Skatepark in South Philly on Aug. 23 from 5 to 7pm.
- And, no, baldness is not required for entry to the free event.
What they're saying: Philly rapper Robert Capron, 31, tells Axios he was inspired to organize the event after recently shaving his head for the first time and finding kinship with other bald people.
- Capron said his goal for the festival is to break the negative stigma around baldness and give people the confidence to live their best bald life.
- "The universe loves baldness, so if that's your path, you shouldn't front it. You should just lean into it and embrace whatever the universe has for you," he says.
What to expect: A competition to crown the "Best in Bald," which will be judged on criteria like shininess.
- DJ and rap performances, including from Capron.
- The first few hundred people to arrive can expect to get free bald caps.
Context: Philly loves it some quirky, offbeat events.
- Remember Chicken Man? Alexander Tominsky drew hundreds to watch him eat his 40th rotisserie chicken over as many days in 2022.
- Then there were the many celebrity lookalike contests last year.
What we're watching: Bald Fest may not happen at the skate park.
- Capron is still waiting for the city to approve his application to host the event there, as of Tuesday.
- He's exploring other potential venues.