A large crowd packed the Varieties Theater at Boot Hill Museum on Saturday, July 22, when the Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) hosted the second annual Whisker Roundup Mustache Contest. Four contestants took to the stage to flaunt their pruned, shaped, and waxed mustaches in their bid to claim the crown of Dodge City’s new Mr. Mustache.

“Everyone enjoyed this event so much last year that we had to make it an annual tradition,” said Megan Welsh, director of the Dodge City Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The new venue is fantastic, and the Boot Hill Museum staff have been a delight to work with.”

National Day of the Cowboy was also observed during the event. Loren Ashlock, the reigning Mr. Mustache spoke to the crowd about the meaning behind the day and recited the Code of Conduct for Cowboys & Cowgirls. Attendees were also treated to performances from Miss Kitty, Doc, and “Sticks” from the Long Branch Variety Show and refreshing sarsaparilla floats.

During the competition portion of the event, contestants answered silly questions and presented their mustaches to the crowd and judges. The panel of judges consisted of Shawn Nguyen from the Rusty Edge Tonsorial Parlor, Angel Estrella from Rizo’s Barber Studio, and Brody Beck from Boot Hill Museum. The judges graded each mustache on a scale of one to ten across four categories: size, quality, color, and style/presentation. When the dust had settled and the scores had been tabulated Bob Batman was crowned Dodge City’s New Mr. Mustache.

This year also saw the addition of a new category the “People’s Mustache.” The audience selected voted on the mustache they like best, with the title going to Justin Rosario. Both winners were presented with a trophy, sash, and gift basket. Mr. Batman’s mustache will be immortalized on the Dodge City CVB’s 2023/2024 Mustache Fan. The Mustache Fans are distributed at various local and regional events as a fun way to promote Dodge City events and attractions.