High Sierra Beard and Moustache Championships, July 3, 2006

The Village at Squaw Valley, located near the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, California, will host the High Sierra Beard and Moustache Championships on July 3, 2006. The hairy face-off, officially sanctioned by Beard Team USA, will precede the annual fireworks spectacular as part of the Independence Day festivities at the Village.

Contestants will compete for cash prizes in several different categories before a panel of distinguished judges including former World Cup downhill skiing champion Tamara McKinney and Squaw Valley glitterata Debbie Dutton. Awards will also be presented to the crowd’s favorite, the youngest competitor, and the contestant who traveled the farthest to attend.

In accordance with a strict policy of non-discrimination, the competition is open to all, but special categories will be offered for the follically challenged, such as females and kids.

Facial hair superstars expected to attend include current sideburns world champion Toot Joslin, the only American to win first place honors at last year’s World Beard and Moustache Championships in Berlin, Germany, 22-year-old Jack Passion, who podiumed at Berlin in the highly competitive full beard natural category and who sports a fiery red 2-foot-long full beard ZZ Top can only envy, along with the pride of Gilroy, California, Gary Hagen, 2003's world champion in the Handlebar Moustache category.

Registration for adults is $10 and will start at 5 pm.