A Ripley Entertainment executive is thinking big — and hairy — for IAAPA this year. Jim Pattison Jr., the company’s president, will shave his beard during the upcoming IAAPA Expo and add it to an enormous hairball that’s in contention to become the largest ball of human hair in the world.
And that’s all part of a fundraising campaign for Give Kids the World Village in Kissimmee.
Pattison began growing a beard near the beginning of the pandemic, and he said wouldn’t shave until all Ripley attractions had reopened. That goal has nearly been achieved with the company operating in all but two countries again. Ripley’s has more than 100 locations in 10 countries.
At IAAPA Expo, staged at Orange County Convention Center, Pattison will shave off the beard and add it to Hoss Hairball, which will be stationed at the Give Kids the World Village booth on the trade show floor. Folks attending the show can contribute hair and/or money. Ripley’s will match the funds going to Give Kids, up to $10,000. It’s dubbed “Riley’s Shave the Beard and Make it Weird” campaign.
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“Initially created by stylist Steve Warden, Hoss eclipsed 100 pounds in 2019. Since then, over 1,000 Ripley’s fans have personally contributed to the hairball’s weight,” Pattison said. “With over 20,000 attendees expected to take part in the IAAPA Expo in Orlando, we are hopeful we will surpass the world record — all in the name of a good cause!”
Give Kids the World Village supplies weeklong vacations to critically ill children and their families. (For more information, go to GKTW.org.) Pattison is also vice-chair of the board of directors for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
The reigning biggest hairball, according to Guinness World Records, weighed 167 pounds. Hoss has been eight years in the making at Ripley attractions, and it currently is about 3 feet tall and 9 feet around.
Pattison’s beard shaving will happen at 11 a.m. Nov. 19.
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