Pennsylvania Farm Show’s Mullet Contest Draws Record Crowd for Hair Celebration

Business up front, party in the back took center stage this week at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, where around 150 competitors showed off their carefully styled mullets in front of more than 1,000 spectators. The contest, now in its third year, has become one of the most popular attractions at the nation’s largest indoor agricultural expo, proving that the once-mocked hairstyle is making a serious comeback across America.

• Ten-year-old Drew Fleschut from Dallas, Pennsylvania won the top prize with his Joe Dirt tribute, taking home a Corvette rear bumper as his trophy.
• Close to 150 adults and kids competed in the 2026 event, making it the biggest turnout since the contest began three years ago.
• The mullet competition is one of the few Pennsylvania Farm Show contests open to people from outside the state.

A Packed House for the Mane Event

Monday’s mullet celebration at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg drew a packed crowd to watch the short-in-the-front, long-in-the-back hairstyle that was once favored by Canadian hockey players and hair metal bands. The energy in the Main Hall was electric as kids, teens, and adults strutted across the stage, each bringing their own flair to the competition.

Judges evaluated contestants based on several factors including length, style, flair, accessories, presentation, and dedication to the mullet lifestyle. Some competitors went all out with costumes and props, treating the event like a full performance rather than a simple hair contest. Judge Brittany Goldberg, owner of Heavy Metal Hair Salon in Philadelphia, emphasized that contestants were evaluated for the style of their cut, any props or accessories, their presentation and their overall sense of commitment.

Young Champion Takes the Crown

The competition featured multiple age categories, but the overall winner stole the show with a pop culture tribute that resonated with judges and spectators alike. Drew Fleschut dressed in a red-and-black shirt to honor the David Spade character Joe Dirt, complete with the movie character’s signature floor mop as a prop. His commitment to the bit paid off when he walked away with the unique grand prize.

Other competitors brought their own stories to the stage. Ben Barley, a 7-year-old from Red Lion, arrived wearing a T-shirt with “MULLET LIFE 6-7” and said he’d been working on his mullet for two years. Fourteen-year-old Lancaster resident Brayden Shaner spent about four years growing his mullet, which earned third place in the teenager category, explaining “I like it because it’s different.”

One standout competitor was competing for personal glory and a bigger cause. Seven-year-old Kamden Cunningham won the “Flow of Freedom” award for the most patriotic mullet, and his mother noted he has spent three years competing nationally with his mullet and raised just under $20,000 for wounded veterans. Talk about hair with a purpose.

The Mullet Makes Its Comeback

While the hairstyle has existed for decades, the term “mullet” gained mainstream recognition in the 1990s. The Oxford English Dictionary credits hip-hop legends the Beastie Boys for popularizing the term with their song “Mullet Head” on their 1994 album “Ill Communication.” The dictionary notes the term is slang, humorous, and often used in a derogatory way.

But times have changed. What was once considered a fashion mistake has become a statement of individuality. You see them in small towns across Pennsylvania and even in places as far away as Lexington, KY, where young people are bringing back the style with pride. Kyle Wertman, 43, who works in industrial air compressor sales, said he was inspired by professional wrestling footage of Hacksaw Jim Duggan and now gets comments about his curls in his hometown of Murrysville.

The Spirit Behind the Competition

Judge Brittany Goldberg summed up the event’s spirit, saying “This is for fun. It’s about the camaraderie and everyone having a laugh and a good time.” The contest has tapped into something bigger than hair trends. It’s become a celebration of people willing to stand out, have fun with their appearance, and not take themselves too seriously.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show itself is the largest indoor agricultural expo in the nation, featuring nearly 5,000 animals, more than 12,000 competitive entries from over 4,600 competitors, plus over 250 commercial exhibits. The mullet contest fits right in with the show’s tradition of bringing people together from across the state and beyond.

According to Matt Schwalm, director and owner of the Barber Styling Institute in Camp Hill and one of the judges, a good mullet is short on the sides, short on the top, and long in the back, with the flow of how it all comes together and texture adding dimension. But really, the best mullets are the ones worn with confidence and a sense of humor.

What Makes This Contest Special

The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs from January 10 through January 17, 2026, giving visitors plenty of time to see livestock, sample local foods, and check out agricultural innovations. But the mullet contest has quickly become a can’t-miss event. Unlike most Farm Show competitions that are limited to Pennsylvania residents, this one welcomes entries from anywhere.

The crowd of more than 1,000 spectators showed that people are hungry for events that celebrate personality and fun over perfection. Parents brought their mullet-sporting kids. Competitors cheered each other on. Strangers bonded over their shared appreciation for the audacious hairstyle.

As young Drew Fleschut proved, sometimes the best way to win is to fully commit to your vision, whether that means channeling your favorite movie character or spending years growing out your hair. The Pennsylvania Farm Show’s mullet contest might seem quirky, but it’s tapped into something genuine: people want to celebrate what makes them different, and they want to do it with a crowd that gets it.