Mullets take over The Great Frederick Fair in first-ever contest

The Great Frederick Fair added a new kind of competition to its lineup Saturday morning — and this one was all about the hair.

The fair’s first-ever mullet contest transformed the grandstand into a mix of hair show, talent show and patriotic pep rally as contestants strutted, danced, flexed and turned around to show judges the hairstyles that brought them to the stage.

Competitors were divided into age groups for 5 and younger, ages 6 to 10, ages 11 to 17, ages 18 to 64, seniors and wigs. Volunteers even used a small blower to send contestants’ mullets flying while they posed.

Good Morning Frederick’s Dani Gurrie announced contestants and introduced the judges during the event.

Some competitors had been growing their hair for years.

Six-year-old Eli Mac of Myersville, a first-grader at Wolfsville Elementary, has essentially had a mullet his entire life, according to his mother. He arrived wearing an eagle shirt, American flag socks and an American-pride belt, complete with a switchblade-style comb to keep his hair in shape.

Another young competitor, Charlie Smith, rolled onto the stage aboard a tiny tractor during the 5-and-under division.

The 11-to-17 division brought some of the biggest performances.

Quaid Ireland, 16, of Frederick, and Jovanny Melgares both took off their shirts and flexed for the crowd. Ireland said growing a good mullet takes time and effort, while Melgares credited time, protein and even olive oil as part of his routine.

For some families, the event became a shared experience.

Josh Hykes and his 10-year-old son Caleb Hykes arrived covered in red, white and blue and repeatedly chanted “USA” from the stage. Josh said he began growing a mullet after Caleb asked him to grow one alongside him.

Other contestants described the hairstyle as something closer to an identity.

Firefighter Nathan Kline, along with Collin Rachner and Will Johnston, had been growing their mullets for periods ranging from about a year and a half to several years. Johnston said he was aiming for a 1990s Alan Jackson look.

The event joins the fair’s growing list of contests and entertainment while adding a deliberately lighthearted attraction to the traditional agricultural schedule.

The Great Frederick Fair’s official site continues to list a wide range of contests, youth programs, livestock events and entertainment throughout the 2026 fair.