Winners of this year's beard contest take the stage at the end of the competition Saturday in McFadden Plaza.
From blackest to reddest and to scruffiest, Carson City is proud to be the Most Groomed Community for the fourth year in a row on Nevada Day.
With 71 participants representing the community, they beat out 14 beards from Virginia City, at the Bob McFadden Plaza on Saturday. Sen. Dean Heller accepted the award in honor of Carson City.
The Most Groomed Community also was proven based by first place winners. Carson City dominated categories such as the Reddest, Blackest, Fullest and Scruffiest beards, and Best Beard Overall. Jasbir Sandhu, the winner of Blackest Beard, took home the title for the ninth year in a row.
The contests with the most popular turnout were the Reddest, Whitest, Salt and Pepper and Scruffiest.
Not only did the beard contest bring the community together, but it also drew families closer. Although there were only eight categories, one local family made it memorable for their grandfather who participated. When Dean Burkett walked off stage after participating in the Whitest Beard contest, his grandchildren — Taylor, 15 and Austin, 7 — presented a handmade award called “Best Beard on Papa 2016.”
A family of three generations also participated in two contest categories for the first time. Roger and Peter Fekkema participated in the popular Salt and Pepper competition. The youngest of the group, James, whom just graduated from Carson High School in June, competed in the Best Trimmed.
The Fekkemas didn’t make it to the final round of either competition but all three enjoyed contributing to an annual tradition.
“It’s historical appreciation in a way,” said Peter Fekkema. “The style appreciates the miners of our state and of being Battle Born.”
