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The Washboard Union taking time to pose with the coolest five-year-old in show, Riley. (photos by Hayden Michaels)
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The annual Frontier Days Mustache, Mullet and Beard Contest was a hairy affair with some bushy contestants. 

This year's contest was a fairly niche competition, with only a few entries per category. This made for some fierce face-offs, with at least one individual taking home multiple title wins.

Judging this year's competition was The Washboard Union, who took the time to lend their expertise in beard craft to evaluate and elevate the competitors.

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David Roberts (left), Aaron Grain (middle), and Chris Duncombe (right) of The Washboard Union. 

Aaron Grain for The Washboard Union was impressed not just by the chops on display, but by the mustaches and goatees too. 

"Sometimes you don't know what you'll get when you come into these contests," said Grain.  

Contestants competed in longest and best groomed for beards, and again in the same for their mustaches. 

Mullets had a wider variety, as they are currently the new hot look for men of all ages. The resurgence in business up front and party and the back hair required four categories; Men's Open, Lady's Open, Teens (13-17), and Kids (12 and under). 

As the competition got underway, David Roberts of The Washboard Union, felt some apprehension.

"It's tough," said Roberts. "Because beard growing is an art, and to try and judge art seems wrong. They're all fantastic!"

Winning the first draw of the day for longest beard and defending his now annual title, was Devon Omen. This was his third year in a row winning the longest beard. 

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Devon Omen and Emma Brost, the Frontier Days Ambassador for 2023.

His opponent, Colby Smith, proceed to win best groomed and also took home the win for the longest mustache. 

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Colby Smith with Emma Brost.

The winner of best-groomed mustaches, Matt Peters, was able to take his certificate just before (name) got his second win of the day. 

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Matt Peters, who is also renowned for his love of the Ninja Turtles.

For Mullets, no ladies came out for the Ladies category. The Men's category however ended up in a showdown of muscle, as the two competitors were a dead even draw for the judges.

"Clearly, Swift Current has shown up today with all of their hair growth talents," said Grain.

The Washboard Union elected to have them try and break the tie with a push-up competition.

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The physical activity seemed to hamper their moods, as they were both recovering from the previous evenings celebrations.

By the end of it, both Tyson Anderson and Logan Schwartz took home the title in a tie for the day. Truly, their flows were delicate arrangements of curls, waves, and carefully quaffed bangs. 

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A tie presented, once again, by Emma Brost.

Once again, the Teen category didn't draw out a competitor, perhaps because the show the Men's Open selection put on scared them off for fear of having to exercise. 

No such fears could rock the Children's category, as three boys climbed on stage in the biggest contest of the day, if still the shortest by height. 

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Arlo, Riley and Gage were by far the most ready for the day, with steely gazes and stiff upper lips eager to see who would be crowned King of the Mullet.

At the ages of 5, 7, and 8, it was a close call, but the judges had a favourite for the day that was shockingly cool. 

Arlo Stewart took the win with his electric blue thunderbolt shaved into the side of his head, along with his lightning blue highlights. 

With that, the competition came to a close, and the air cleared up of all hair. 

Folks who would like to compete next year will have to keep an eye out for when the contest forms get released next June. 

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