© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The best beard wins at Watertown's Irish Festival

Julia Botero
/
WRVO news
It was Robert Mevec's first time winning an award for his beard. He says he hopes to move onto competing in the World Beard Championships in 2017.

Watertown celebrated St. Patrick’s Day a little early this year with a beard contest at their annual Irish Festival last weekend. But he competition begins before that. On January 1, men come to Watertown for a clean shave. They have until the Irish festival in mid-March to grow the fullest, longest beard they can.  WRVO's Julia Botero went to the  Donegal Beard Competition in Watertown to see the winner. 

Credit Julia Botero / WRVO News
/
WRVO News
Awards went out for most colorful beard, people's choice beard, along with third and second place

WRVO is now well into its second year without federal funding. Through it all, our mission has stayed the same: serving central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. Listeners like you are what keep journalists on the ground, asking the hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today. You'll be supporting more than yourself. You'll be supporting everyone who depends on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.