Competition gets hairy at Beard Team Championships

Nation & World News

More than 200 competitors fought for top facial hair at the $5,000 Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011.

Jonathan Rice placed first in the Freestyle division at The Second Annual $5,000 Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011.

Patrick Gorman, of Tuscon, Ariz., placed first in the moustache category with his over-sized handlebars.

John Burgess' wizard-like beard earned him first place in the Full Beard-Natural division.

John Myatt raises his arms in victory as he places first in the Full Beard-Groomed category.

Karolina Gwiazda, left, a beard groomer, trims the moustache of Joe Comacho of Austin, Texas, as he examines her handy work in a mirror.

Keith Haubrich, AKA Gandhi Jones, fashioned his facial hair into the shape of a whale for the competition.

Steve Scarpa, from Tehachapi, Calif., looks out at the crowd of facial hair fans.

Rebel Dennis Dickerson, of Alexandria, Va., (left) marches with Yankee Joseph Fanelli, of Wyncote, Pa., in the Parade of Beards before the competition.

A patriotic Matt Bischoff competed in the finals of the freestyle division. The international event attracted more than 200 competitors including some from Canada, New Zealand and Germany. Facial hair was judged in five categories: moustache, partial beard, full beard groomed, full beard natural and freestyle.

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Jonathan Rice placed first in the Freestyle division at The Second Annual $5,000 Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pa., on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011.

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