Busting his chops: Pa. man wins sideburns contest that celebrates hero of 1813 battle
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The winner has been named in a Pennsylvania sideburns contest that honors a U.S. Navy commodore known for his impressive facial hair.
The Erie Times-News (http://bit.ly/15fJeeZ ) reports that 56-year-old Dave Baxter, of Lake City, Pa., topped 19 contestants on Wednesday evening. Officials say one contestant dropped out because he recently got a new job, had to move and was required to shave.
Contestants were asked to show their patriotic spirit by growing sideburns most like those of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Baxter says he researched images of Perry to try and match the hero who commanded a nine-ship American fleet to victory over the British in the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813. Historical portraits suggest that Perry wore long mutton-chop sideburns that extended toward his lips.