The buzz at Central Valley Barber College on Sunday, June 26 was not only in the chairs but throughout the school with the celebration of the Grand Re-Opening of the facility along Atchison Street in Riverbank. Owners Rhonda Arnold and Carl Gibbs hosted over 300 people that included students and alumni, making it a successful event. Also on hand for the celebration was Dave White, Arnold’s father and the grandfather of Gibbs, who originally started the business.

“It was great,” said Arnold about the event. “Having the alumni come see the school and us was awesome. They were very proud of their school. Also, the families coming out to support the students and alumni competing was huge. Great family support. Lots of love. We are one big family here.”

During the celebration there was a barber battle, which is a haircutting competition in four different categories. Alumni competed against alumni and students were against students that battled in best fade, best tapers, fastest fade, and best freestyle. There were three judges that selected the best barbers in each category that received trophies.

Arnold noted, “Everyone loved it and were asking if we are going to do it again. Maybe we can do a yearly barber battle event.”

The new building at 3501 Atchison is much larger than the original building they started in back in 2014. Classes begin the first Monday of each month and they are continuously enrolling students.