Carson City's Matt Wagner Wins Beard Titles in Rain
The 2026 Nevada Day beard contest was held in rain for the first time in 11 years, with Carson City's Matt Wagner taking top honors.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Current Conditions
Matt Wagner of Carson City won both the fullest beard and best overall beard awards at the Nevada Day beard contest, which was held in rain. The competition was the first in 11 years to be held in wet conditions.
Why it matters
The contest, which began in 1964, went ahead despite the weather, drawing about 60 competitors and a crowd that thinned as the rain continued. Wagner's double win marks a return to the top for a competitor who has entered since 2011 and did not place in 2017.
Carson City contestants made up the largest group with 36 entrants, ahead of 9 from Washoe County and 7 from Lyon County. The extraction does not provide any measured rainfall totals for the event.
The players
Matt Wagner
Matt Wagner is a Carson City resident who has competed in the Nevada Day beard contest since 2011.
Perry Nixdorf
Perry Nixdorf emceed the Nevada Day beard contest and set its 2 p.m. start time.
The details
The contest began at 2 p.m. after the parade finished around 1:20 p.m., and Perry Nixdorf, who emceed the event, waited for the rain to ease before starting. Half of the crowd left toward the end of the competition due to the weather, while the best overall beard award is decided by audience hoots and hollers.
Timeline
1964: The beard competition began.
2011: Matt Wagner began competing in the contest.
2017: Matt Wagner did not win an award.
October 31, 2026: The 2026 contest was held in rain, the first in 11 years.
Seasonal Patterns
The contest has been held since 1964, and this year's rain broke an 11-year run of dry conditions for the event. The extraction does not include historical rainfall averages for Carson City in late October.
Attendees planning to visit future Nevada Day events in Carson City should check conditions before the event, since the 2026 beard contest drew a smaller crowd as rain continued. The extraction does not include specific advisories or resources.
The takeaway
Even in rain, a smaller but committed group of entrants and spectators kept Nevada Day's oldest contest going, a reminder that local traditions often outlast the weather. Readers following the event can watch Carson City's conditions and future contest dates.
Further reading
For more on weather in the area, see Current Conditions in Carson City.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nevada Appeal.
