Tyler Wendel shows off his well groomed stache. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community events

Annual Beerd Derby returns with new twists and thrills

Feb 22, 2022 | 9:00 AM

One of the longest-running and proudest traditions of the Prince Albert Winter Festival continues to go to great lengths to keep the community entertained.

A total of seven champions were crowned Sunday night, as part of this year’s Beerd Derby Competition. The banquet was held at the Prince Albert Wildlife Federation building and included live entertainment

Tyler Wendel was inspired by his co-workers at the Prince Albert Fire Dept. to sign up and grow a moustache.

“It’s just a good time with friends to come out and drink some beer, and catch up with people,” he told paNOW.

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Estimating he started growing his stache about six months ago, Wendel explained the secret to his curly tips was lots of good wax. Good genes may have also played a role.

“My girlfriend has never seen me without a moustache so she doesn’t hate it and the rest of the family don’t really seem to care. I’ve never seen my dad’s upper lip, he’s always had a moustache,” he said.

The female competitors were not afraid to show the judges a little leg. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Among the women competing in the newly introduced “hairiest leg” competition was Shyla Litzenberger, who signed up for the derby alongside her husband Ian.

“He’s a little bit more competitive than me. I don’t usually shave my legs a lot during winter but having him with a full beard has been a little bit challenging,” she laughed.

All jokes aside, the Beerd Derby is a serious competition and has been around since the 1960s, originating as the Prince Albert Winter Festival’s Molson’s Beerd Derby.

This year’s Event Chair Doug Erickson explained shortly after the Molson’s Brewery closed and the company left town, the derby went from being a large, full-scale event to a core group of people trying to keep it together.

“The Beerd Derby still took place every year but it sure didn’t go anywhere strong,” he said.

Three years ago the festival’s organizing committee inked a deal with Great Western Brewery and participation numbers have started to grow.

“We’re back to its original lustre where guys can pay $50 and get six nights of beer and food, and tonight is a full fledged banquet including their spouses,” Erickson said.

The Prince Albert Wildlife Federation, Lake Country Co-Op, and Canadian Tire are also key sponsors of the event. As well, representatives from the local Phantom Light Distillery were on hand Sunday to give guests a taste of their product.

“It’s gone to a pretty spectacular event in the last few years, largely due to the fact that a local Saskatchewan is once again backing it,” Erickson said.

A contestant poses for the judges. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Roughly 50 people took part in this year’s competition. Erickson hopes to have over 100 next year.

This year’s winners

Amateur moustache – Graham Pedersen

Amateur Misc. – Ian Litzenberger

Amateur bush – Tyler Gerstner

Pro moustache – Larry Krause

Pro misc. – Reilly Barton

Pro bush – Greg Borrowman

Ladies – Shelby Peters

A photo taken of this year’s winners. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell