Media participants in the Festival du Voyageur's Beard Growing Contest show off their scruff on Friday at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre. Judges also critiqued in the voyageur, festival and novelty categories. Festival du Voyageur wraps up on Sunday. (TED GRANT / CHRISD.CA)
Girlfriends and wives citywide are likely feeling a sense of relief this morning after Friday night’s Beard Growing Contest at Festival du Voyageur. Many men have since taken a razor and cleaned up their scruff, which they had to let grow for the past few months as part of the annual fundraising event.
All the hard work was put on display front and centre Friday at the Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre as judges carefully inspected contestants’ proud facial hair to award deserving medals.
Categories included the voyageur beard (wild and wooly), festival beard (clean shaven), novelty (groomed beard and/or mustache), and the media category. Unfortunately for ChrisD.ca photojournalist John K. (second from left above), his beard didn’t muster up to be awarded any sort of prize. However, CBC’s social media producer Nico Wlock (wearing the hat) placed first for his efforts.
Contestants had to raise $100 in pledges to participate, or pay a $35 registration fee. All funds raised went to support the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.
View the photo gallery below.
