The Beard-A-Reno Contestants
The winning whiskers on the Central Coast were named during the 52nd Annual Beard-A-Reno on Saturday night at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge.
More than 30 contestants competed for bragging rights — and a custom-made silver belt buckle — at the event.
Honors were given for wildest, blackest, reddest, longest and whitest beards, along with most original and best mustache, goatee, sideburns, attempt, western characterization and all around. Miss Wrangler also was named.
Since February, contestants have foregone their razors in the attempt to grow the top entries.
This year’s event was held in memory of Ted Scott, the longtime Elks historian who died in December.
The Beard-A-Reno is one of the events leading up to the annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, set for June 2 through 5. The rodeo parade is planned for Saturday morning, June 4.