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Indiana News Powered by Franklin College Journalism Students

Rebecca Kirby offers clean shaves and fresh haircuts in Pioneer Village at the Indiana State Fair, surrounded by memorabilia from barbering's past. 

Rebecca Kirby offers clean shaves and fresh haircuts in Pioneer Village at the Indiana State Fair, surrounded by memorabilia from barbering's past. 

For those wanting to look their best at the Indiana State Fair, Rebecca Kirby offers clean shaves and fresh haircuts.

She wears a long black and white dress in what resembles a cubicle at Pioneer Village. She stands behind her old-fashioned salon chair, hands entwined in front of her, with a big smile.

Kirby, from Eaton, is the first woman barber the fair has had, and she has been snipping away there for the last nine years. She’s been working in the cosmetology field, however, for the last 38 years.

About 10 years ago, she came to the fair with her husband and was fascinated by the little barber shop.

“I’m really geeky about old barber stuff,” she said.

She called the fair shortly after, and the next year she was working in the village.

On the wall, in an old Western font, a sign reads “HOT SHAVE 10 cents.” Because of inflation, however, they have been raised to $25.

All of Kirby’s services are old school, with hot towels and straight razors. Her station has vintage tools as well as some modern inventions, such as barbicide and electric razors.

“All year, you know, I'm scouring around for old barbering tools and things that pertain to the old-school barbering set. And then when I find stuff, I bring it in and add it to the display,” she said.

Kirby has a clientele at the fair, many who are police officers on the grounds.

“I love what I do. I'm passionate about doing hair barbering and taking care of people and, you know, just building relationships and having fun while we're here,” she said.

Kirby wants Hoosiers to know that Pioneer Village is a wonderful experience for families and they should come out.

“There's tons of stuff to learn, tons of stuff to see, and it's a good experience for the whole family,” she said.

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