Top photo: Winners of the Beard-Growing Contest, Monday at the Friday Harbor Fire Station. Standing from left, Scott Zehner, Judges’ Choice; Don Galt Jr., Longest Beard; Bob Wilson, Reddest Beard; Dr. David Eden, Whitest Beard. Kneeling from left, Cole Hull, Wildest Beard; and Jason Richardson, Judges’ Choice. Not pictured: Jeff Gull, Blackest Beard. Second photo: Every inch counts in the competition for longest beard. Sheriff Bill Cumming measures Ed Hale’s beard. Third photo: An overflow crowd enjoys the judging. - Scott Rasmussen
Scott Rasmussen
Top photo: Winners of the Beard-Growing Contest, Monday at the Friday Harbor Fire Station. Standing from left, Scott Zehner, Judges’ Choice; Don Galt Jr., Longest Beard; Bob Wilson, Reddest Beard; Dr. David Eden, Whitest Beard. Kneeling from left, Cole Hull, Wildest Beard; and Jason Richardson, Judges’ Choice. Not pictured: Jeff Gull, Blackest Beard. Second photo: Every inch counts in the competition for longest beard. Sheriff Bill Cumming measures Ed Hale’s beard. Third photo: An overflow crowd enjoys the judging.

Hair today, gone tomorrow; winners of the Centennial Beard-Growing Contest

By SCOTT RASMUSSEN
Journal of the San Juans Editor
February 10, 2009 · Updated 2:17 PM 

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Facial hair can come in all sorts of colors, shapes and size.

But who would've thought day-glow green?

Evidently, Dave Staehlin did. And though he caught the eye of many, Staehlin failed to capture the nod from judges on Monday when Friday Harbor's beard-growing contest mercifully — for many — reached its conclusion.

The beard-growing contest was held as part of Friday Harbor's centennial celebration. The contest — comprising several months of growth and grooming — concluded with judging at the Friday Harbor Fire Station.

Who would've thought growing a beard could be a spectator sport? Friday Harbor's fire hall proved too small to contain all those that showed up to witness the end and cheer on the bearded wonders.

Sponsored by Island Rec, the event drew 58 contestants who began the competition clean-shaven nearly five months ago. At stake: Dinner for two at several of the town's leading restaurants, and bragging rights.

The contest winners:

— Jeff Gull, blackest beard.
— David Eden, whitest beard.
— Bobby Wilson, reddest beard.
— Donny Galt, longest beard.
— Cole Hull, wildest beard.
— Jason Richardson, Judges Choice ("impressive day-glow orange").
— Scott Zehner, Judges Choice ("best beard to hide an investment in").

Contact Journal of the San Juans Editor Scott Rasmussen at srasmussen@sanjuanjournal.com or 1-360-378-5696.

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