Jack Passion gleamed with pride on the brightly lit stage of the World Beard and Mustache Competition in Anchorage, AK.  At only 26, he just became the two-time world champion for the natural full beard competition.  His lengthy beard, which he’s coined “Big Red,” defeated beards older than himself.  I looked over at the table of Germans, who have long dominated the sport of competitive beard and mustache growing, and nobody looked very happy.  Their natural full beard hopeful from team Germany took third place.  I sensed that they don’t like this Jack Passion.  Besides, with a name like that, it’s hard not to be jealous.

Mr. Passion takes his crown with the “Big Red.”

Jack Passion is just one of over three hundred competitors at the 2009 championships.  Contestants came from all over the world–and I truly mean from all over the world.  France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, South Africa, India, and South America.  I clarify that because many of the so-called “world championships” that the AFP has attended over the past eight months hardly attract world participation or world attention.

Upon arriving at the Anchorage tourism office, where an official parade would kick-off the weekend, I was met by hairy men from all over the world standing about a grassy lawn looking just as lost as I felt.   After I took a few photos, it was apparent that some of the men spoke no English whatsoever.  But my were they friendly!  The big smiles and friendly handshakes set the tone for the weekend.

As the competitors paraded around the city, people came out of their shops to watch these funny looking men, striding by pridefully with silly costumes .  There was a certain bond between the beard competitors, spectators, media, and the city of Anchorage.  It seemed like everywhere one looked, there were beards and mustaches!  As it turned out, this event went in the books as one of my favorites.

It turns out that the competition is not just about who has the most or longest hair.  There are all kinds of beards and mustaches out there.  The mustaches include the Hungarian-Wild West, the Dali, Imperial, Musketeer, Fu Manchu, and Alaskan Whaler.  The beards include the Verdi, Geribaldi, natural full beard, and freestyle.  I saw some pretty creative beards amongst the Freestyle category.  Costumes are another way to ensure a spot on the winner’s podium.  Some contestants had some elaborate costumes, while others stuck to impressing the judges with fancy threads, tails, and bow ties.  There was a mixture of fancy and funky.

Even the babies grow mustaches!

This year, the Americans swept the field, winning more titles than the long-victorious Germans.  An Alaskan native even took the “Best in show” award with his  full-length, braided beard.  It was a wonderful weekend of beards, mustaches, and music.  After all the festivities were over, a large crowd headed down to the local bar and celebrated, beard and all.  The tables were filled with newly found friends, while different nationalities drank beers and toasted in the name of beards.

Perhaps my favorite moment from the weekend occurred on Sunday morning.  I was just walking away from a favorite breakfast place I found in Anchorage, when I heard a loud whistle behind me.  I turned around, and half a block away there was a guy crossing the street.  We had seen each other throughout the weekend, and I think he noticed I had been taking pictures.  The guy was far enough away that he couldn’t have said anything loud enough for me to hear.  Instead, he held up a peace sign, and then grabbed his mustache with his thumb and index finger.  It was as if with that one signal, I had understood that he was saying. “Goodbye friend, and long live the facial hair.”  Along with the other people who attended the 2009 World Beard and Mustache Competition, we now had a bond–and a special one at that.

Be sure to check out the movie and slide show posted below..

World Beard and Mustache Competition from American Festivals Project on Vimeo.

Andrew is busy gearing up for LOOK3.  We’re still working on our slide show presentation for the festival, and will be sure to announce the time and location of that event.  The next two weeks look like busy ones for the AFP, but we’re excited for what’s in store.  Keep in touch folks.  The summer is drawing near!

The AFP has arrived in Anchorage, Alaska for the World Beard and Mustache competition.  It was a long trip out to this beautiful state, but well worth the ride.  Unfortunately, Mr. Owen has to stay in Virginia and serve out his duties to another great festival–the Festival of the Photograph.  He’ll be sorely missed.
Alaska is a state full of its eccentricities, but now that there are 300 more men with big beards and mustaches, it proves to be even stranger.  I’m just going to show you a little teaser for now, but I promise there is some great content on the way.  The atmosphere at the event is contagiously friendly.  I’ve never met so many cheerful old men that look like the dwarves in Lord of the Rings.  And talk about other media!  I’ve never seen so many photographers and documentary video crews.  Here I thought I was going the farthest away in the U.S., only to be met with a crowd of other folks with the exact same idea.  Nothing remains to be photographed….

Today’s weather was sixty degrees and sunny.  I walked home from the beard party at 11: 30 pm and it was still perfectly light.  I actually passed two people playing tennis and another woman working in her yard.  It’s certainly bizarre.  And now it’s 4am my time, but I can’t fall asleep because the sky is still glowing a deep blue.  I’ve managed to eat quite locally, or so it seems.  Today I had a reindeer hot dog and a salmon sub.  But me-oh-my is food expensive.  I don’t think it’s possible to eat for under $10 a meal.

Beards rule Anchorage this weekend, and I’ll be there to see all the action!  Be sure to check back for more updates and some real purty nature shots later next week.