Every two years, the owners of the world's most elaborate facial hair come together for the World Beard and Moustache Championships. From 1990, the championships feature competition in a variety of categories that include everything from the delicate Dali moustache to the outrageous full beard freestyle. This facial-hair celebration is open to everyone and spectators are welcome. On 2007, Brighton (UK) hosted the championships, and the City of Anchorage (Alaska, USA) hosted the next one on 2009.
Meet some of the craziest beards and mustaches we've found at the championships.
Former Beard World Champion Gerhard Knapp
Gandhi Jones, 34, from Seattle, 1st Place winner in the Freestyle Moustache category in 2007
Ernst Krause from Steinau cultivated on this creation for weeks
Elmar Weiser, from Germany
Karl Heinz-Hille, winner of Imperial moustache category at the 2007 Championship in Brighton, UK
Jack Passion, a 23-year-old American crowned natural beard champion of the world at Brighton 2007
Willi Chevalier, Germany, 2001 World Champion of Full Beard Freestyle