Baby's got back hair - and it's time to get rid of it.
That's why Tiffany Rinkenberger encouraged her boyfriend, Ross Krause, to participate in the Hairy Back Contest, held Saturday as part of the Big Boys Toys Expo.
Krause, 22, was one of just two contestants brave enough to show off their Wookiee backs for the predominantly male audience at the Fargodome.
In what was perhaps the least glamorous fashion show in American history, Krause and fellow contestant Keith Berg took off their shirts to declare gorilla warfare while prowling the runway amid wolf whistles and strains of the Toadies' "Backslider."
"It takes a real man to do this," acknowledged Gunner, the Q98 DJ who emceed the fur-stivities.
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Krause, an assembler for Case New Holland, seemed embarrassed to show off his considerable man pelt, but Berg strutted the runway like he was Derek Zoolander.
In the end, Krause won by a hair. It helped that he had injured one arm at work and was sporting a sling, thus gaining a sympathy vote.
But he also had his own cheering section, led by Rinkenberger, who proudly wore a "My Man is Hairier Than Yours" T-shirt.
Afterward, Krause revealed the secret to his Sasquatch success: He had inherited furry DNA from his dad, and he hadn't shaved his back in two months.
And at least he gets a reward for all that humiliation. Catalyst Medical Center provided the prize: laser hair removal treatments worth $1,200.
You know what they say: "Hair today, gone tomorrow."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Tammy Swift at (701) 241-5525
