Every two years, the owners of the world's most elaborate facial hair come together for the World Beard and Moustache Championships. On May 23, 2009, the championships will return to the United States for the second time in their history, as the City of Anchorage, Alaska plays host to the world's bearded and moustached elite.

The championships feature competition in a variety of categories that include everything from the delicate Dali moustache to the outrageous full beard freestyle. The competitors appear before a panel of distinguished judges charged with the responsibility of awarding the coveted world titles to the best of the best.

This facial-hair celebration is open to everyone and spectators are welcome. The host for this event is the South Central Alaska Beard and Moustache Club which is committed to making the WBMC 2009 the biggest and best ever. Major sponsors include the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau.

At the last WBMC held in Brighton, England, on September 1, 2007, there were 252 hirsute competitors who competed in seventeen separate categories. London's famous Handlebar Club pulled out all of the stops to make the event a huge success. Upstart Beard Team USA mounted a serious challenge to the always dominant Germans, taking first in five categories.

BTUSA hopes to enjoy even more success in Alaska. Bearded and moustached Americans along with their fans, friends, and families, (and anyone else, frankly) are invited to join the team.

BTUSA also recently announced the details on its group trip to Alaska, which is open to everyone. There are two options: Option A includes a seven-day cruise from Vancouver, Canada to Alaska and six days in Anchorage. Option B includes seven days in Anchorage. Click here for more.

Be sure to check out the category-by-category analysis straight from Beard Team USA.

The newly formed Australian beard team, the Australian Bushrangers is bringing its own band to Anchorage-- The Beards -- to play "songs about beards, for people with beards" at the Friday night opening party.

Click here for all you need to know about the event schedule, registration, tickets, competition categories, sponsorships, and group tours.