Carson City claims title of best bearded community
The beard was boss on the Bob McFadden Plaza Saturday afternoon following the Nevada Day Parade.
Dozens of beard wearers competed in ten categories: longest beard, best groomed beard, scruffiest beard, fullest beard, best red beard, best white beard, best black beard, best salt and pepper beard, the best bearded community, and the best overall beard, a fan favorite award.
Carson City literally walked away with the distinction of best bearded community in Nevada — an award given to the Silver State community most represented at the event — as 71 beard-wearers stepped onto the stage to be counted.
United States Senator Dean Heller — himself sporting a small, trimmed beard — accepted the award on behalf of the Nevada state capital.
Virginia City was runner-up with 14 community representatives at the event.
Garnering the loudest noise from the audience, Calvin Harris of Carson City took home the best overall beard, an award given to the beard that wins over the most fans.
He was joined by fellow Carson City residents Joe Monzo, Matt Wagner, Russell Lenhares, and Jasbin Sandxu, all of whom took the titles in their respective categories.
Monzo was chosen to have the reddest beard and Sandxu the blackest, while Wagner sported the fullest beard. Lenhares took first in scruffiest beard with his face mange.
Matt Lee of Sacramento, California, won this year’s title of longest beard, while Johnny Olson of Washoe Valley was runner-up in that category.
Mike Coli of Reno took first place in the whitest beard category, while fellow “Biggest Little City” resident Steven Malekos claimed the title of best groomed beard.
Sparky Whitman of Fernley earned the top award for best salt and pepper beard Saturday.
But perhaps the most special recognition of the afternoon was given to Dean Burkett of Dayton. Although Burkett competed in multiple beard categories, he was not chosen by the judges.
No matter, though, because right after the finalists of the whitest beard contest were announced, Burkett’s two grandchildren, Taylor and Austin, presented him with their own award for best bearded grandpa.
Burkett said he was taken completely by surprise with the presentation.
“I had no idea,” he said.
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