Facial hair reigns: Portland's Stache Pag 2012

The mustache doesn't always get respect.

But it should. Just ask the men (and women) who wear them. March Mustache Madness - a monthlong celebration of the 'stache - helps bring attention to swath of bristled hair that bodly hovers under the nose. And a handful of years ago, the folks at No Umbrella Media launched the annual Stache Pag in Portland to reinstate the mustache's rightful place in society and on men's face.

The yearly pageant is a celebration of whiskers # from the mutton chop and handlebar to the delicate wisp and lip-concealing cookie duster.

And just like the finely combed or wild and free mustaches on men all over Maine, the Stache Pag grows every year.

This year's pageantry takes place at 9 p.m. on Friday, March 30 at Port City Music Hall in Portland. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.stachepag.com.

Anyone with a shadow of hair over the lips can enter # including women. Entrants are divided into four categories, based on their individual mustache character:

The Magnum P.I. # The natural or common mustache, it is a full, well-integrated friend of your face. Not too flamboyant, but certainly stating something in bold print.

The Thigh Tickler # These 'staches leap from the face, a la handlebar, Fu Manchu or Pancho Villa.

The Uncle Rico # This category refers to mustaches belonging to men who, for reasons unclear, aren't able to grow enough hair on their upper lip to enter either of the other two categories.

The 1899 Maine Legislature # "These boys knew how to live large, while retaining their gentleman status. This is the category for handlebars, horseshoes and other large, yet culturally acceptable moustaches," according to the Stache Pag website.

Stache Pag judges narrow the field to five finalists in each category, and the winner will be chosen based on audience applause. But this ain't no lazy man's game. Finalists work to win the crowd during segments like the "Stache Strut" and "Rapid-fire, Five-second Statue."

Category winners # as well as a judges' selection # will walk away with a Stache Pag trophy, a title and bragging rights for the year.

In the morning, many of the night's mustaches will find themselves razored into the bathroom sink. But they'll go with honor, having helped bring the modern man's mustache one hair closer to its proper glory.

FMI and to buy tickets: www.stachepag.com

Early Shift: Maine State Police Trooper Doug Cropper

Editor's note: Early Shift is a weekly photojournalism project spotlighting workers in the Portland area who are at their jobs before the sun rises. [Video and text by Gabe Souza/Staff photographer]

Maine State Police Trooper Doug Cropper patrols I-295 during the 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. shift.

Early Shift: Gene Willard, Casco Bay Lines captain

Editor's note: Early Shift is a weekly photojournalism project spotlighting workers in the Portland area who are at their jobs before the sun rises. [Video and text by Gabe Souza/Staff photographer]

Gene Willard, Casco Bay Lines captain who steers the 5:05 a.m run of the 110-foot Aucocisco III.