Mullets shake at Mane Event

Amanda Ream

NCR Editor & Publisher

Awards were presented to 10 of the best mullet hairstyles in Northeast Florida Sunday during the Mane Event.

The contest was held in front of approximately 200 spectators at the Northeast Florida Fair and included contestants from Callahan, Hilliard, Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Folkston, Ga., Jacksonville and Baker County. 

Each contestant walked across stage, giving his best “mullet shake” for the judges, with scoring based on length, contrast from front to back, mullet shake and overall appearance head-to-toe.

The toddler division featured seven competitors, ages 2-4. First place was awarded to Colby Ream, 3, of Callahan for his “Colby Dirt” mullet. Winning second place from Hilliard was Kase Anderson, 4, for his “Mullet Mania” mullet. Third place was Hayden Lamprecht, 3, of Baker County. 

The kid category had seven contestants, ages 6-12. Caleb Sloan, 12, of Callahan won first place with “The Man, The Myth, The Mullet.” Second place was awarded to George Moeller, 11, of Fernandina Beach with his “Lovely Locks” mullet. Hayes O’Quinn, 7, of Hilliard placed third with his “Rowdy Red Mullet.”

“It was an awesome experience,” Caleb Sloan said. “I think the fair should definitely do it again next year.”

NEFL Fair President Keith Wingate called the event, “A new tradition for sure.”

Five teens ages 14-17 competed for best teen mullet. Brody Wilkinson, 14, of Callahan won first place with his patriotic-themed mullet that had American flags etched in with clippers above his ears. Second place went to Dustin Deal, 17, of Yulee while the judges’ pick for third place was Ryan Austin, 15, of Yulee.

The adult category only had one contestant, Mathew McAllister, also known as “Mullet Mat” of Folkston, Ga. He claimed his title as adult mullet champion to a thunderous round of applause from the audience.

The judges included Jessie Jarrell of Bryceville, who is the marketing director and virtual stylist for Callie Kay’s General Store and Outfitters; Gator Collins, owner of Gator’s Discount Outlet in Callahan and children’s pastor at Dinsmore Baptist Church; and Fisher Monds, who is a junior at Hilliard Middle-Senior High School and won second place in the 2022 USA Mullet Championships.

The Anchor Church Youth Pastor Ethan Thompson served as the event emcee. Event sponsors included South Pine Designs, the Nassau County Record, Gator’s Discount Outlet, Callie Kay’s General Store and Outfitters and the Northeast Florida Fair.

South Pine Designs is owned by Kelly Barber of Hilliard. She created picture frame awards for the first-place winners and hangable wooden plaques for second and third place. Visit fb.com/SouthPineDesigns to view her work. Gator’s Discount Outlet, located at 450086 S.R. 200, Callahan, awarded first through third place with items from the store and gift cards for the overall winners. Callie Kay’s General Store and Outfitters, located at 553027 U.S. 1, Hilliard, donated bags from Georgia Boot as part of their sponsorship. The Nassau County Record, located at 617317 Brandies Ave., Callahan, donated digital subscriptions for first through third place in each category. 

The Northeast Florida Fair gave each winner a four-pack of gate entries to return to the fair before its end on Sunday, with the top winners also receiving free ride wristbands and hats.

The Mane Event was organized by Callahan resident Natalie Sloan and Record publisher Amanda Ream with the support of the Northeast Florida Fair officers and trustees.

Sloan’s son Caleb won two mullet competitions earlier this year, one at the Clay County Fair and another through WAPE 95.1 FM in Jacksonville. Ream’s son Colby also competed at the competitions. The duo talked and decided that with so many kids of all ages and several adults donning mullets throughout Nassau County, it only made sense to have a competition at the Northeast Florida Fair in Callahan. 

“We were so excited to see the great turnout on Sunday,” Natalie Sloan said. “We loved seeing all the glorious mullets and hope to have a bigger turnout next year.”

Ream agreed.

“We would like to continue the event. Even if mullets fade away, we could certainly do another event based on whatever the current fad is at the time. Thank you to our sponsors, our emcee, our judges and all of the participants.”