I didn't know there was such a thing.  But it's a fairly new event - in just its second year - the National Beard and  Moustache Championships.  It took place over the weekend in Lancaster, Pennyslvania.

Around 200 contestants from all over the world showed up to compete in five categories:

  • Moustache
  • Partial Beard including sideburns, Van Dykes, goatees and soul patches.
  • Groomed Full Beard
  • Natural Full Beard
  • Freestyle where anything goes

And organizers say the event is not limited to just men.  Actually they say they really don't want to have to check for gender so they don't mention it in the rules.

The National Beard and Moustache Championships was inspired by the World Championships which usually take place in Europe where Americans have traditionally been under-represented.  But one American - John Myatt of Los Angeles came in second in the partial beard category at the World Championships this year in Norway.  He says he does a lot of grooming, eats healthy and shampoos and conditions daily.  He says he thinks a healthy diet is the key to healthy hair.

The American version is open to all nationalities and this year contestants from Canada, Germany and Sweden turned out to compete for $5000 in cash and prizes.

Here's a video of this year's National Beard and Moustache Championships Parade:

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