Clio Man Places First At National Beard Competition

A Genesee County man was recently named the new Great American Mutton Chops Champion at the Great American Beard and Moustache Championship in Detroit, Michigan.

Jason Trimble of Clio took first place in this category on Saturday, September 21st, 2024 at Detroit's Masonic Temple. Have you ever seen Mutton chops like these? Talk about impressive.

Jason Trimble

Jason Trimble was kind enough to answer a few questions about the Great American BMC event, and his award-winning mutton chops.

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What is the Great American Beard and Mustache Championship?

The Great American BMC is a grassroots event held biennially (every two years) on even-numbered years. It is backed by The North American Competitive Beard and Moustache Alliance.

The event features 60 beard clubs from across the US and Canada. The competition features 28 categories that are judged by everything from natural beards and mustaches to freestyle beards and mustaches.

There are even categories for fake beards and moustaches too.

What was it like hearing your name called for first place in the sideburns and mutton chops category?

At first, I didn't believe it. My friend and rival, Pat, had bested me so many times that I was expecting him to win as usual. The only time I ever won over him was in 2020 during an online competition.

So winning this time felt very overwhelming and validating!

How many awards have you won to date, and what are they?

3-time partial beard champion at Sasquatch Uncut.
5-time circus of Whiskers Mutton Chops Champion.
3rd Place Chops at Beards Behind Bars
2nd Place Chops in Talking Beards online competition
2021 National Sideburns runner-up.
2020 Natural Sideburns National Champion

How long have you been growing your Mutton chops?

I started letting this set of chops grow in April of 2016, so about 8 and a half years.

How many times a day do people ask you about your Mutton chops?

At least two. I do notice a lot of people look and point but get embarrassed when they are caught.

Do people often grab your mutton chops without asking? Do you let people touch your facial hair if they ask?

People are usually good about asking. I allow people to touch it, just not pull it.

Lately, I've been getting a lot of requests for pictures, which makes me feel like a low-tier celebrity. Not going to lie I don't hate the attention.

How many competitions a year do you enter?

My two non-negotiables are Sasquatch Uncut in Imlay City usually in early June, and my beard club, The Murder City Facial Hair Crew, annual competition - Circus of Whiskers (first weekend of November).

Apart from that, I always look for competitions in new locations or with interesting themes, like Beards Behind Bars, which took place at the old Ohio State Reformatory that you might recognize from "The Shawshank Redemption" and Mushroomhead's video for "Devils be Damned."

If you're interested, the World Beard and Mustache Championships will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from July 4th through the 6th, 2025.

I would like to add that proceeds from the Great American BMC will be split between the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (Dawg) and Six Feet Over (suck it suicide).

Thank you, Jason, for taking the time to share your story. Congratulations once again!

You can check out photos and a video from the Great American Beard and Moustache Championship in Detroit below.

Great American BMC Detroit, Michigan

Gallery Credit: Jason Trimble

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