Marshall explained that the idea came from a unique combination of his personal background and his current business. Growing up in a family deeply connected to the hair and beauty industry, he spent years surrounded by salons, barber shops, and cosmetology schools before eventually moving into the bar business. After opening Shinny’s in downtown Dixon, he began looking for fresh event ideas to bring people together in unexpected ways. One late-night scroll through social media sparked the concept that eventually became Ponies and Pints.
The event focuses on helping dads gain confidence with everyday hairstyles like ponytails, buns, and braids. While the concept may sound simple at first, Marshall said many dads often feel unprepared when it comes to helping daughters get ready for school, sports, or other activities. Ponies and Pints aims to change that by giving them hands-on instruction in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
To make the experience professional and approachable, Shinny’s partnered with Meraki Salon. Stylists Lisa, Bridget, and Bethany will guide attendees through hairstyling techniques using mannequin heads set up at each station. Participants will learn different braid styles, buns for sports, and practical everyday looks they can recreate at home.
Marshall emphasized that the event is about much more than hairstyling. He hopes it creates a sense of community among fathers while encouraging stronger relationships with daughters, stepdaughters, nieces, or other young family members. The social side of the evening also plays a role, allowing attendees to relax, talk with other dads, and enjoy a few drinks while learning something new.
Throughout the conversation, Stahr reflected on his own experiences helping his daughter with hair care and acknowledged the skill and creativity hairstylists bring to their work every day. Marshall agreed, noting that even though he grew up around the beauty industry, he still leaves the actual instruction to the professionals.
The discussion also touched on the future possibilities for events like this. Marshall said Ponies and Pints could become the beginning of a larger series of community-focused classes at Shinny’s. Future ideas may include skincare workshops, nail tutorials, or other hands-on events that combine education and social interaction in a unique setting.
Ponies and Pints will take place Friday, May 22, at 6 p.m. at Shinny’s, located along the Dixon riverfront at 120 West River Street. The bar will be closed to the public during the event to create a comfortable learning environment for attendees. Tickets are available through Eventbrite for $15 per person, with proceeds helping compensate the professional stylists donating their time and expertise.
Marshall encouraged attendees to bring along any hair accessories or styling tools commonly used by their daughters so instructors can demonstrate how to properly incorporate them into hairstyles. Every participant will have a mannequin head to practice on throughout the evening. As the conversation wrapped up, Marshall described the event as a blend of the three major parts of his life: education, hairstyling, and the hospitality industry. More importantly, he hopes the event helps dads feel more comfortable stepping into everyday parenting moments that can strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.
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