Each year at the Churer Fest, the Alpine Beard competition is held. It's a bit of an odd one as festivals go - and certainly one I've not heard of elsewhere!
Strict regulations apply to the beards, which have to be entirely natural, which are marked in a variety of categories by several judges.
To be honest, I'm not sure what to make of the Alpine Beard Festival - I've never seen one before. But some of the beards are as impressive as the costumes.
My personal advise on what to do and see in Rome
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The Stratford Glockenspeil in Taranaki
The Antelope - your local, dog friendly, beer friendly pub
Must see ancient monuments around Rome
Historical information about the gothic Antwerp Cathedral
What to see, where to stay and eat in historic Antwerp
Recommended hotels in Vienna, Salzburg and Bregenz
European tourism and rail organisations - a quick reference (U) - A reference guide to European tourism and rail organisations (U)
Lucerne - 7 things not to miss - What not to miss in Lucerne
Italy - 10 places not to miss - 10 places you shouldn't miss in Italy
London markets - 15 of the best markets - 15 food, antiques and clothing markets in London worth visiting
Eclipse chasing - Essential total eclipse trip planning information from 2010 to 2019
Zürich - a brief history of Grossmünster - A brief history of the distinctive twin-spired Grossmünster in Zürich
Why chase solar eclipses? - Why I chase total solar eclipse all over the world
Switzerland - places not to miss - Sixteen places not to miss around Switzerland
Europe - Travel information from around Europe
Travel pictures - Pictures from my travels in Switzerland, Italy and New Zealand
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook