Noticed more facial hair around Lynden lately?
Today marks the 125th anniversary of Lynden’s official incorporation on March 16th, 1891 — and every 25 years since the men of Lynden have undertaken a beard growing challenge. For this year’s contest, around 40 men grew out their beards and mustaches over a 42-day period, culminating in a judging session this past Saturday at the Inn at Lynden.
Categories include ‘Overall Grand Champion’, ‘Best Heritage Hair’ (for those who did not start with a clean shave) and ‘Best Clean Shave’ (for those who did).
Careful judging makes for a fun old-time tradition
Participants were judged by Rose DeGroot (owner of Fairway Cafe) and Cliff Fast (long-time barber from Cliff’s Shear Design on the corner of 9th & Front Streets). Speaking of the judging process, Lynden 125 committee chair Karen Kildall said “They had a tough job — the competition was really, really tight. But, in the end, they were able to choose our winners.”
Drum roll please… and the winners are:
Overall Grand Champion: Les Molenaar
Best Fresh Shave: Scott Vandenberg
Best Heritage Beard: Don Assink
Careful and competitive observers may consider wearing a black top hat at the next competition, 25 years from now in 2041.
Grand Champion Les Molenaar is himself a long-time Lynden barber, who cut hair at Les’s Style Barber Shop downtown on Front Street for many years. All participants received a certificate in official recognition of their commitment to Great Facial Hair, and a participant button. Here’s a gallery of those who attended Saturday’s judging event (some were out of town and are not pictured):
Thank you to Alexandra Ann Photography for documenting the event with the photos used in this article!