'Let it party!' Mullet mania sweeps Alaska State Fair

PALMER — A large number of Alaskans of all ages participated in the first annual mullet competition hosted at the Alaska State Fair Saturday, Aug. 26.

"There's a lot of stiff competition out there," mullet contest participant Kelby Dillon said.

Dillon entered the contest with a colorful American flag painted on his mullet. He said that he had a great time seeing all the different kinds of mullets.

"It's a fun event to celebrate the crazy hairstyle," Dillon said.

The youngest finalist, Kendall Toppin was named the overall winner with his sleek and curly mullet that he’s been growing for about three years. After he was declared the overall winner, he shook his hair to show off his winning locks.

"He had a lot of fun," Kendall’s mother Melissa Toppin was thrilled at her son’s success. "He did it by himself and he gave it a good shake."

Toppin said this is a great event for the whole family to enjoy.

"We'll definitely be back next year," Toppin said. "I love it. It is definitely bringing the community together."

Kendra Coeville created the mullet contest. She said she got the idea after witnesses so many people with mullets walking through the fair gates as she worked the ticket counter. She said there's definitely a resurgence of mullets happening in Alaska and across the country.

"I said, 'we need a mullet competition,'" Coeville said. "There's definitely a trend that's coming back around. Some people say, 'let it lay where it die' and others say, 'let it rise again.' Let it party!

Coeville said that she was worried about the weather affecting the competition but she was thrilled to see so many people show up. She noted that there were so many youth participants that they're considering adding another youth division next year.

"I think it was a really great turnout," Coeville said. "I thought it was really cool- from the straight to the curly. We even has one that was permed."

Lindra Paradise also spent about three years working on her mullet. She said that she was impressed with the sheer variety and quality of the mullets displayed that day.

"There were a lot of epic mullets. It was a blast," Paradise said. “The mullet is a bit like a lifestyle. It takes a lot of confidence to rock a quirky haircut.”

A contestant that went by the name "Dirty Mike" won the"Neck Warmer" division. He said this was his first time entering any kind of contest at the Fair. He said that he's happy with his mullet state of being.

"It keeps your neck warm but it also looks cool. I want people to look at me and go, 'I want to party with that guy,'" Mike said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com