The date and place of the
Second Annual $5000 Beard Team USA National Beard and Moustache Championships have now been set! 

The HUGE event will take place on October 8, 2011 at the Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  The stadium is the home of the Lancaster Barnstormers minor league baseball team.  
It comes complete with two Jumbo-trons, VIP sky boxes for competitors, Hess's BBQ,  etc.    
And, a variety of delicious adult brewed beverages will be available as well.   
Note that Columbus Day is Monday, October 10, so many people will have an extra day for travel.  
(I realize this is not one of the two alternate dates previously announced. Unforeseen problems came up with both of those dates, including the possibility that the Barnstormers would need the stadium for a playoff game.  Sorry for any inconvenience.)

The entry fee for contestants will be $40.  Admission for spectators will be $10.  
Registration and tickets will be available online soon.  
We will also have information on accommodations posted online shortly.

Lancaster is well known for its Amish community that has been growing beards for America
in the surrounding area for over 200 years.  Participants in the Nationals will have a unique chance
to experience Amish culture as part of the Nationals Weekend.

Schedule of events.  

All times are tentative.

Thursday, Oct 6, 3:00 p.m.
- Amish Camp begins at Hershey Farm Restaurant and Inn, Strasburg, Pennsylvania.  See below for details.

Friday, Oct 7, 5:00 p.m.
- Meet-the-Amish Dinner at Hershey Farm Restaurant and Inn, Strasburg, Pennsylvania.  We will enjoy a typical Amish, family-style dinner with several 

Amish families as our guests.   Authentic shoofly pie and whoopie pie for dessert.  Weather permitting, we will be outdoors.  There will be volleyball (popular Amish pastime) before dinner and a campfire afterwards. 

Come early to enjoy the gardens, the pond area, farm animals,
and gift shop and listen to Amish Camp veterans tell their stories. 

Note:  No alcohol will be served.  Also, Amish people prefer not to be photographed.  
Please be respectful of this tradition.

Cost:  $27 per person, including tax and tip.  Registration online soon. 

Saturday, Oct 8
- Second Annual BTUSA National Beard and Moustache Championships
High noon - Contestants' procession from downtown Lancaster to the stadium.  
Stadium gates open.

1:30 p.m.  - Preliminary judging begins.
5:30 p.m.  - Final judging and awards.  
The best beards and moustaches in the country will receive cash prizes totaling $5000. 

Sunday, Oct 9, 11:00 a.m.
- Annual Beard Team USA general meeting followed by picnic.  Location to be announced. 

Amish Camp:  This is an opportunity to be Amish for 24 hours!  Amish campers will report to the Hershey Farm and Restaurant at 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 6.  They will turn in their cellphones and other modern devices and exchange their usual clothes for authentic Amish wear. 

Camp activities include an Amish fashion show, birdhouse making or quilting lessons, shoofly pie baking,  a buggy ride, helping with chores on an Amish farms (rooster wake-up call!), and a lesson at an authentic Amish school. 

Lodging will be in an electricity-free environment.  
(OK, I admit it, this part is a bit cheesy.  
Campers will stay in regular motel rooms with the electricity turned off.  
The Amish families who are part of this program just aren't comfortable with "English"
((that's what they call us)) staying in their homes.  Oh well.)  

Campers will be permitted to keep their shoofly pie and Amish headwear for free
and may purchase the rest of their Amish clothing if they wish.

Here are the prices per person.

They include lodging, three meals, all activities, tax, and tip:

                Single occupancy:           $213

                Double occupancy:          $151

                Triple occupancy:            $130

                Quad occupancy:            $120

Please note that participation in Amish camp is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.  
The limitation is based on lodging space, so I would encourage people to double- , triple-, and quad-up.  
You can register for Amish Camp now by making arrangements directly with Sherry Wertz at Hershey Farm.  Call Sherry at (800) 822-7866 or e-mail her at groupsales@hersheyfarm.com.

Rules for the Nationals.

I am attaching the rules for the Nationals.  With a few changes described below, these are the same as the rules we used in Bend, which were published on the internet. 

The full beard category has been divided into two categories - full beard groomed and full beard natural.  The judging criteria for the two categories are different, as you can read on the attachment.   
This should make the number of contestants in each category closer to equal and also give those with outstanding-but-shorter full beards more of a chance to win. 

Also, the prize money will now be split among the top three finishers in each category, with the winner receiving $600, second place $300, and third place $100. 

This time those with beards will not be permitted to compete in the moustache category as they did in Bend. 

You will note that Rule 1 states, as it did for Bend, "The National Beard and Moustache Championships are open to all competitors, regardless of nationality, race, religion, or club or team affiliation."  
I know some people wondered why non-Americans were permitted to compete in the Nationals in Bend.  
I have explained that the officials have enough to do on competition day without checking people's birth certificates.  (After all, we are not running for president here!)  
More importantly, I want to emphasize inclusivity over exclusivity at this event.    
I am delighted to welcome people from other countries if they want to come to our event.  
After all, we are trying to promote friendship among beardsmen and women worldwide.  
I think like giving people the opportunity to meet foreign competitors contributes to everyone's enjoyment. Keep in mind, the National Hockey League allows non-American players and the US Open
(golf and tennis) welcome foreigners as well. 

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Lancaster.  By the way, its pronounced LANK-uh-stir. 
The first syllable rhymes with "bank."  The rest of the word is like "astir."  

Cheers,

Phil Olsen

Founder and self-appointed captain

Beard Team USA