Mullets to compete for best in show at this Ontario fair — Here's how you can enter yours

Hamilton Spectator

5 days ago

Forget the typical bake-offs and tractor pulls. This Ontario country fair is giving a platform for competitors to show off their mullet masterpiece.
For the first time in
Lombardy Fair
's 159-year history, they're hosting a mullet competition on the August long weekend.
'This is a country fair,' said Al Cooley, the man behind the mullet event. 'We need something unique.'
The annual fair is held in Lombardy, about 80 kilometres southwest of Ottawa — south on Highway 15 from Smiths Falls.
Cooley, one of the directors on the fair's board, first had the idea for the mullet competition two years ago. Once he got buy-in from his own barber, Kim Doull, it became a sure thing.
'It's really taking off,' he said. 'A lot of people are excited about it.'
Cooley is no stranger to mullets. He rocked one for about five years in the 80s — the peak decade for mullet mania. Cooley said what made a good mullet back then was 'good thick hair.'
These days, a good mullet is more about flare.
'What I really like is a little bit of a spike, really short sides —
like the Billy Ray Cyrus type,' he said.
Mullets first really came on the scene in the 70s, and saw increased popularity in the 80s and 90s — before falling out of fashion.
Recently, the mullet has had a bit of a renaissance — becoming popular again especially with younger demographics.
'The modern mullet is very popular with long layers on top with the fade on the back and sides. That's really trending for men right now,' said Debbie Tot-Carver, a hairstylist and instructor at Georgian College, in a
previous interview about trending hairstyles
.
It's free enter the mullet competition.
Competitors are already preparing for the cut throat event — and getting wild and fun outfits ready.
'People are upping their game of dress — dressing the part,' said Cooley.
Event MC and DJ,
DJ Johnny Five
, is getting ready, too — showcasing his mullet-in-progress on social media.
'I've been working on my mullet for a couple of months now!' he wrote in a Facebook post on July 1. 'It's coming along nicely.'
Cooley hopes injecting a bit of fun into people's lives will help them cope with the negativity floating around in the world right now.
'I think it's something to give back to the community and to give a more positive feeling — more upbeat,' he said.
On Saturday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. the contest heats up. Judging and prizes will be awarded by Smiths Falls-based business, Vintage Barber, Tattooing and Piercing. Age categories include 12 and under, 13-18 and 19-plus.
'When we were asked if we were interesting judging this contest, I immediately said 'yes,'' said Doull, of the Vintage Barber. 'Nobody with a mullet takes themselves too seriously, so it's sure to be a blast.'
What makes a good mullet, you ask? For Doull, it isn't so much about the actual hair cut.
'It's more of an attitude and a way of being,' she said.
Doull said people who chose to rock mullets don't follow the typical social construct and are proud to be different.
Doull said she's looking for people who own their mullet haircut and aren't afraid to stand out in a crowd.
'People who are dreamers, leaders, rule breakers and easily push the boundaries of 'normal,'' she said. 'It's a day to celebrate everyone who thinks outside the box and we, at The Vintage, are super pumped for it.'
The Lombardy Fair runs from Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3. It's an annual August long weekend tradition in the area.
Also new this year at the fair are Mini Chuckwagon races.
Classic rural fair fun can be had at the demolition derby, rodeo, horse penning, tractor and truck pull and checking out the Agriculture Pavillion, petting zoo and midway.
See the
fair's schedule
for more details.
With files from Janis Ramsay