Pair of holiday haircut events offer fresh looks, just in time for holidays

Local barbers and hairstylists are doing their part to give back to the community, with two separate holiday haircut offerings, taking place on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Franklin Archways will be holding a free holiday haircut event sponsored by Jennifer’s Color Bar, and organizer Kylieh Farley said she has rounded up volunteers from several local hair salons. This includes the staff from Jennifer’s Color Bar of Gilford, Behold the Beauty of Laconia, and Paytin James Salon, which is based in Franklin.

Right down the road at Moderno Barbershop Tilton, barber Lauren Mock has organized a free haircut event as well. This will involve barbers and stylists there, and will also have a bit of holiday flare for people to enjoy with their families.

Both Farley and Mock know finances are tough for many local residents, which can mean haircuts aren’t No. 1 on the agenda.

“We will be offering free haircuts, completely free of charge, for whoever wants to come, no questions asked,” said Farley, whose mother Jennifer Fielders owns Jennifer’s Color Bar.

This comes two weeks after a successful event at Isaiah 61 Café in Laconia, where Jennifer’s Color Bar employees cut hair for free. Isaiah 61 Café is a spot where people experiencing homelessness — who Isaiah volunteers call "friends” — can get a bite to eat and have a safe, relaxing spot to rest. She said it was a great experience to be able to help those in need, noting “people aren’t always kind to the homeless.”

“To be able to have provided this opportunity is important to me,” Farley said.

It also takes place about year after a similar event held at Faith Alive Christian Fellowship in Laconia. Farley took part in the event last December, and said this was a source of inspiration to get a similar one together for 2025.

“I do as much as I can to give back to this community, and I’ve found that sometimes, the best way is to make someone feel better about their hair,” Farley said. “I am a firm believer that a haircut can be what is needed to turn your life around."

She said the event is timed for the holiday season, but also offers a chance for someone to prepare for something like a job interview. Farley acknowledged hair appointments can be out of some people’s price ranges, and this will give them a chance to work on their look.

While the event on Dec. 1 at Isaiah 61 Café was mainly focused on helping unsheltered people with haircuts, this weekend's event is for anyone to take part.

Farley said she was so moved by last year’s event, which was hosted by Mae Paonessa of Shh. it’s a Salon of Laconia, she wanted to put together her own event this year. However, finding a venue proved tricky. She started blasting requests on Facebook in search of a location, and had people reach out to ask how they could get involved.

“I went to high school with someone at Archways, and they expressed their interest, and were able to confirm the date,” Farley said. “They have clientele who need help, and are looking for resources like that.”

Farley said Archways can accommodate quite a few people, and there will be six or seven experts with scissors ready to rock.

This will be the first time free haircuts are offered at Archways. Their work primarily involves feeding people and providing basic needs like coats and winter clothing. Chief Operating Officer Mark Watman said the organization is a combined peer recovery community organization with a family resource center, serving a broad mission.

“Basically, if you have needs and need assistance, we have people here who can and will help you,” Watman said, noting Archways serves thousands of people each year at locations in Franklin, Tilton, Plymouth and Concord.

Watman was grateful to Farley for organizing the event and providing her time and skills for people to have haircuts.

“We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to be treated with dignity and respect,” Watman said.

Watman said the organization serves a significant population experiencing homelessness, and having Farley provide haircuts at no cost is a larger gift than most realize.

“There are plenty of circumstances where people have basic needs that are not being met. This is increasing with financial strains on households,” Watman said.

The free holiday haircut will take place at Archways, 175 Central St. in Franklin, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 14.

For more information about the event, Farley can be reached at kyliehswork@gmail.com, or call Jennifer's Color Bar at 603-366-2700.

Just one town over, at Moderno Barbershop in Tilton, another holiday haircut event will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Santa will be onsite, to add a festive touch and make the day special for families and children.

“We got to have the Big Man there,” said Mock.

Mock was also part of the event last year at Faith Alive Christian Fellowship, and will hold her own iteration this year at Moderno. She and the whole team hope this can become an annual event.

“We know the holidays can be stressful for many people,” reads a press statement from the Moderno Barbershop Tilton team. “A simple haircut can make someone feel refreshed, confident, and cared for."

Mock said she often goes to shelters and hospitals to donate haircuts, adding any time she can help someone in need, she’s there. She asked all the barbers at Moderno if they wanted to offer this for the community, and it was a no-brainer for everyone involved. Barbers and stylists will both be there, so no matter what type of hair someone has, they will be well-served.

“We try to give back as much as possible,” Mock said. “Looking good and feeling good should not be a luxury, especially during the holidays.”

Moderno Barbershop Tilton's free haircuts take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 291 Main St., Suite 3, in Tilton.