Yellowknife (Mar 30/05) - Caribou Carnival's 50th beard growing competition was a popular event, with almost 20 men participating.

Four overall winners were declared after judges tugged on the month's worth of growth.

Best overall and longest beard honours went to Brian DesRoches; fullest beard belonged to Jonathan Tremblay; worst beard honours went to Bogus Zdyb and the most creative beard belonged to blue beard himself, Andre Chouinard.

Dog City put man's best friend at stage-centre in four competitive categories.

A dog called Buddy was picked as the top howler in the pack. Booger the English Bulldog, owned by Nancy Jacobs-Young was deemed the best dressed canine. Tika, a toy poodle, amazed the crowd with tricks and came in first place, while the jump competition saw Griff the Shepherd Greyhound mix - owned by Annette Bougeois - leap and bound his way to top spot.

As for the popular Dene hand games tent, first place honours went to the Wha Ti team.

The Tli Cho team was second and third place went to Behcho Ko.

This year's Ugly Truck and Dog contest resulted in the following winners.

Grand prize for the ugliest Northern truck and dog combo went to Les Antle and Alex Slade; runner up, Greg and Keenan Miller; Ugly Truck first place, Robert Spence; Ugly Truck second place, Chris Taylor; Northern Truck first place, Eric Draper; Northern Truck second place, Neil Laamanen; Ugly Dog first place, Jerry Van Hantsaeme; and Ugly Dog second place, Neil Laamanen.