NEW YORK—ZZ Top, Ned Flanders from “The Simpsons,” Zeus in Disney’s “Fantasia,” and Tom Selleck were among the bearded or mustachioed fellows paid tribute to at the third annual Beard and Mustache Competition in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, on Saturday night.
About 40 contestants from across the nation and beyond—one competitor came from Australia—were grouped into six categories. The goatee category featured little soul patches, long, slim beards, and a range of lengths in between. The mustache contestants wore bushy mustaches a la Super Mario or old-fashioned mustaches elegantly waxed and curled.
Though event organizer Myk O’Connor declared that having a beard is “part of being a man,” the ladies were not left out; the fake facial hair category featured synthetic beards and mustaches that looked quite genuine. O’Connor joked that he started chatting football with one of the bearded women before realizing that she was not a man.
The freestyle category brought out artistic flourishes, with beards groomed into fanciful shapes using hairspray or creative shearing. The unemployed came out to model their “recession” beards. The full-beard natural category gave those who had grown their facial tresses to great lengths over many years a chance to display their pride and glory.
“I look for quality,” said Phil Olsen, one of the judges. “I also look for cleanliness, and whether the facial hair compliments the overall appearance.”
Another judge Kris Payne agreed, saying that he looks for beards or mustaches that “fit” the wearer. One judge got up on stage to feel the beards, using texture to help her make the final call.
This is not just one of those strange and wondrous phenomena particular to New York, a place where you can find just about anything. Olsen is the founder and self-appointed captain of the Beard Team U.S.A.—“the premier world power in the international sport of bearding,” as he described it. He has led the national team to victory in international competitions for two years running and hopes to maintain a hold on the world title at a competition in Norway on May 15, 2011.
About 40 contestants from across the nation and beyond—one competitor came from Australia—were grouped into six categories. The goatee category featured little soul patches, long, slim beards, and a range of lengths in between. The mustache contestants wore bushy mustaches a la Super Mario or old-fashioned mustaches elegantly waxed and curled.
Though event organizer Myk O’Connor declared that having a beard is “part of being a man,” the ladies were not left out; the fake facial hair category featured synthetic beards and mustaches that looked quite genuine. O’Connor joked that he started chatting football with one of the bearded women before realizing that she was not a man.
The freestyle category brought out artistic flourishes, with beards groomed into fanciful shapes using hairspray or creative shearing. The unemployed came out to model their “recession” beards. The full-beard natural category gave those who had grown their facial tresses to great lengths over many years a chance to display their pride and glory.
“I look for quality,” said Phil Olsen, one of the judges. “I also look for cleanliness, and whether the facial hair compliments the overall appearance.”
Another judge Kris Payne agreed, saying that he looks for beards or mustaches that “fit” the wearer. One judge got up on stage to feel the beards, using texture to help her make the final call.
This is not just one of those strange and wondrous phenomena particular to New York, a place where you can find just about anything. Olsen is the founder and self-appointed captain of the Beard Team U.S.A.—“the premier world power in the international sport of bearding,” as he described it. He has led the national team to victory in international competitions for two years running and hopes to maintain a hold on the world title at a competition in Norway on May 15, 2011.
Americans are bearding champions, but they have to watch out for their German opponents, who rank a close second. Beard and mustache competitions began in Germany in the early 1990s and were only picked up in the United States in 2003.
World championships do not award cash prizes, only trophies, glory, and bragging rights. The national championship in Alaska last year, however, awarded $5,000 in prizes.
The awards on Saturday included body-building trophies, coffee mugs, and beard shampoo. Entrance fees for spectators went to the FealGood Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports 9/11 first responders.
The prizes are not necessarily what the competitors come out for.
“These competitions bring people together in a positive way,” Olsen said.
Indeed, there was a sense of comradery and humor, as well as a sense that these individuals had more in common than just their love of beards. Olsen says those in the bearding community share “distinctive personalities.”
“These are people who don’t go with the flow. They swim upstream,” he said.
Competitors shared what they see as some of the benefits of a fuzzy face, victory in competition aside.
“It keeps me warm,” said Scott Collins.
O’Connor added that while facial hair is certainly a boon in the winter, it gets a little too warm in the summer. Several contestants also said they get to save bits of food caught by their beards for later—“saving the flavors,” as one contestant put it.
Tye Baker pointed out one disadvantage of being a bountifully bearded man—“crazy ladies love it.”
O’Connor met the love of his life at the national beard and mustache competition in Alaska last year. She was a judge there, as well as at this weekend’s event in Brooklyn. O’Connor proposed to her on stage on Saturday night, saying it was only appropriate to bring their relationship full circle and propose at a bearding competition. Happily, she accepted.
World championships do not award cash prizes, only trophies, glory, and bragging rights. The national championship in Alaska last year, however, awarded $5,000 in prizes.
The awards on Saturday included body-building trophies, coffee mugs, and beard shampoo. Entrance fees for spectators went to the FealGood Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports 9/11 first responders.
The prizes are not necessarily what the competitors come out for.
“These competitions bring people together in a positive way,” Olsen said.
Indeed, there was a sense of comradery and humor, as well as a sense that these individuals had more in common than just their love of beards. Olsen says those in the bearding community share “distinctive personalities.”
“These are people who don’t go with the flow. They swim upstream,” he said.
Competitors shared what they see as some of the benefits of a fuzzy face, victory in competition aside.
“It keeps me warm,” said Scott Collins.
O’Connor added that while facial hair is certainly a boon in the winter, it gets a little too warm in the summer. Several contestants also said they get to save bits of food caught by their beards for later—“saving the flavors,” as one contestant put it.
Tye Baker pointed out one disadvantage of being a bountifully bearded man—“crazy ladies love it.”
O’Connor met the love of his life at the national beard and mustache competition in Alaska last year. She was a judge there, as well as at this weekend’s event in Brooklyn. O’Connor proposed to her on stage on Saturday night, saying it was only appropriate to bring their relationship full circle and propose at a bearding competition. Happily, she accepted.
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