When Pam Schwartz and I traveled to Austin Texas, I wanted to sketch events that are a quirky and unique as the ones I find in Orlando. The Remington Beard Boss and the Austin Facial Hair Club World Beard and Moustache Championships fit the bill. Beardos and Whiskerinas came from all over the world to Austin, Texas for Championships at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.
The three-day competition attracted more than 1000 competitors and fans. Every two years, the WBMC showcases the very best in men’s whiskers and united beards in a cultural event like no other. For the first time at WBMC, Whiskerina (ladies) categories were showcased. Projected to be the largest competition to date, the three-day event included live entertainment, local food vendors, family-friendly activities and dozens of facial hair competitions—all on site at Austin’s premier downtown performing arts center.
I was clean shaven at the time but after witnessing this event, I began to sport a beard. There were beards of every shape and size and some that honestly are hard to believe. One man grew his beard so long he created a mask out of it that made him look like a werewolf. Beards were sculpted into intricate and delicate curtly cues. Beards were long, short soft and pointy. There was a beard for every taste. A woman has a mustache that looked like two nuclear explosions.
We arrived late in the day on the final day of the competition to see the best in show and the closing ceremonies. I wrote on the sketch that #526 was the winner. That was not the werewolf but a more refined beard and mustache of epic spiraling forms. I keep my beard trimmed to less than 1/4 inches but it is tempting to contemplate what it would take to be a world champion. I only feat a larger beard would get in the way when I sketch.
