The Flying X Saloon set the stage Sept. 20, sharing an opportunity for upcoming contestants who plan to compete in this year’s London Bridge Beard and Mustache Competition Oct. 18.

National judges and competitors Jacob Trost and Emily Engler Diver travelled to Lake Havasu City to share some of the best-kept secrets of competitive beard and mustache competitions.

The event kicked off with Trost choosing Bill Mousel from the audience to highlight a creative freestyle example on his beard while observant competitors took notes and videos during the process.

Jacob Trost poses with Bill Mousel at the Hot Tips event Saturday. Photo courtesy Amber Kennedy

Dan Delasantos, representing one of this year’s hosting sponsors, the Lake Havasu Boat Patrol said, “The process to design and create this level of freestyle artwork takes time, patience and practice. Competitors get up early in the morning to create their masterpieces and maintain their shape until judging begins later in the day. Having these highly experienced professionals step-up and offer their wealth of knowledge to these eager participants is rare.”

During the second half of the event, Engler transformed women in the audience into competitive Whiskerinas. She showcased many of her winning beards she has entered in competitions across the country, followed by an intriguing and informative presentation on competitions and how to build a creative homemade beard or mustache.

Emily and her Whiskerinas students share what they created in just under 40 minutes during Saturday’s Hot Tips Event. Given more creative design time, Emily shared what is possible in the Whiskerina competitions. Photo Courtesy Dan Delansantos

A hands-on education followed with several new competitors receiving a bag filled with craft items to build a beard or mustache of their own. They were given just 40 minutes to complete their work of art, which produced some great examples of what the creative mind can do when provided the opportunity.

These and other competing Whiskerinas will have two categories in which to compete in this year’s competition under the London Bridge.

Videos taken during this informative event will be available online for those who missed the live event. The London Bridge Beard and Mustache Competition is a free fun family event for the audience to enjoy and cheer for their favorite contestant.

Competitors’ registration fees support the Kids on the Colorado River educational program, which sponsors more than 900 local students. For more information, go to www.LBBMC.com

Photo courtesy Amber Kennedy

photo courtesy Amber Kennedy

Jacob Trost creates a work of art on Bill Mousel’s freestyle beard design during Saturday’s Hot Tips Event at the Flying X Saloon. Fellow competitors took notes and shot videos of the entire process. Photo Courtesy Dan Delasantos