Centennial competitor grows beard for Brothers of the Brush contest

Albert Tingle is shown here in a photo from 1970. Credit: Family Photo.

Albert Tingle, 82, participated in a beard-growing contest for Wicomico County’s centennial celebration and is also growing a beard for the Brothers of the Brush contest during this year’s 150 Year Celebration. Here, he poses for a photo on Aug. 25.

Albert Tingle also participated in 1967 competition

SALISBURY, Md. – Plenty has changed in the past 50 years – including the look of Albert Tingle’s beard.

“It’s turned gray,” Tingle said.

Tingle, 82, participated in the facial-hair growing competition held for the Wicomico County Centennial celebration in 1967, when he was 32. Fifty years later, he’s growing a beard for the Brothers of the Brush contest, which is part of Wicomico County’s 150 Year Celebration festivities. The 150 Year Celebration honors the anniversary of Wicomico County’s founding in 1867.

Tingle, a lifelong Wicomico County resident, is participating in the full beard category, which is the same category he competed in a half-century ago.

He doesn’t normally have a beard, but he likes growing it for the competition.

“I think it’s a fun thing to do,” Tingle said. “And it recognizes our County.”

The contest was a big deal in 1967. Tingle said different communities had clubs for the contest – for example, one was sponsored by the Hebron Fire Company, and another one was based in Parsonsburg.

This year’s contest includes 30-plus men growing facial hair.

The judging will be held in conjunction with 3rd Friday on Sept. 15. Judging will take place that day at 7 p.m. on the steps of the Government Office Building in downtown Salisbury.

There’s still time to register for the Brothers of the Brush contest – five categories don’t require shaving. These categories include moustache, partial beard, full beard, most unusual and worst beard. There’s also a fastest growing beard category, for which participants had to be clean-shaven on or after June 3.

The registration deadline has been extended. Registration is now open until Sept. 15, the day of the contest. Space is limited.

Competitors have a chance to win sesquicentennial prizes and trophies, and it is free to participate.

Register online or download a registration form at www.WicomicoCounty.org/653/Wicomico-County-150-Year-Celebration. The contest rules and a schedule of other 150 Year Celebration events can also be found at that link.