The mustache contest was a "Giant" success, especially since we were able to include Giant via webcam. The V was packed and the Old Style was flying out of the coolers. You could tell that HOBOs were in town.

First off, I will introduce the new Undisputed HOBO World Mustache Champion... JJ Johnson!

It was a tremendous turnout. I don't know when the last time the V saw this many people when it wasn't a wedding. More information will follow shortly. For now, I need to get some sleep. What I want everyone to do is vote in the poll on the left side of the screen. Pick your favorite stache. To get a better look at all the mustaches, make sure you take a look at the photos in our Flickr photo album.

Here's a group shot (missing a couple people).

Gentlemen, this is what we play for...the Coleman Jug. It currently resides in the recroom of South side MVP Showstoppa. I'm thinking maybe some HOBOWL t-shirts for the winning team. While the jug is a great trophy it could be another good promotional idea and also a nice prize for the winner.

While it may be impossible, I think it would be a good idea to get commitments from who is going to be in town for the game. I know Show had a post about this a while back...but I'll try again. I encourage anyone who can attend to confirm on the HOBOWL page. It would be cool to do a draft with the people for sure there, we could always add the game-day-drop-ins to teams to make it fair. It seems like tackle (snow being the only condition) is the way the voting went. I look forward to seeing eveyone there.

Hey sports fans, the topic of the week is, you guessed it... Sports! Well, Hobo style sports that is. Whether you realize it or not, the next major Hobo gathering is only two months away. Yes, nothing says thanksgiving like a crew of hairy, drunken, hobos running loose in the V and chasing each other around Barber field. As we speak, HOBOs everywhere are training for these events with a rigorous regimen that includes, refraining from shaving and walking home from the bar.

Thanksgiving weekend offers a handful of HOBO events. Though the events may be few in number, they offer a chance to win some of the most sought after and cherished of HOBO titles for an entire year.

First event on the docket is the HOBO Mustache Contest:

Two years ago, Tim Ellenich started the movement to "Bring Back the Mustache for the Young Man." Its goal was to bring awareness to the fact that having a mustache has become uncool, and it was a call to arms to the HOBOs to make a stand… a stand for mustaches. No beard, no goatee, just stand-alone mustaches. This rally cry begat the first ever HOBO Mustache Contest in November 2004.

Since then, we've seen a lot of tough competitors bring their mustaches of all shapes, sizes, and colors of the rainbow to do battle for the UWHMC (Undisputed World HOBO Mustache Champion) belt. This year will be the 3rd Annual HOBO Mustache Contest and it will take place on November 22nd at the V. This promises to be the most competitive year yet. There is a lot of pride at stake this time around and no shortage of smack-talk. Rumor has it that there may be some surprise competitors this year as well as new some new faces.

We will plan on meeting up at the V around 8 P.M. where we will flaunt our mustaches as we filter a few Old Styles through them. We need as many people as possible to show up for the contest as we will also be needing judges. The UWHMC is traditionally decided by a vote taken from the unbiased non-competitors and the Ormeses, who cannot grow mustaches (except for Donny). Whoever is voted as having the greatest mustache will be entitled to a free drink from everyone else in the competition. It's really a win-win situation for everyone involved. You get to spread the word to America that having a mustache is cool and you also get really drunk.

The next event will be Hobowl II:

The Hobowl is a pickup football game that takes place annually on the day after Thanksgiving at Barber Field in Yale, rain or shine. The only requirement for players is that everyone has to wear a football jersey of some sort to the game. Showstoppa has written up some rules for the game in the HOBOpedia. The Hobowl distinguishes itself from other Hobowl events by being one of the only events with an actual trophy, Coleman's Jug. The winner of the Hobowl will get to hold the trophy for one year until the next game rolls around. After the game a tailgate-style celebration takes place, complete with keg and hot food.

Last year's winners from the South Side will have to give up their reign as the first ever Hobowl winners. They took the title in comeback fashion from the North Side under inhospitable conditions. Barber field was covered in a thick two-foot layer of snow and the temperature was well below freezing as the South Side scored an 8-6 victory. Showstoppa was named MVP.

Hobowl will begin at 1 P.M. on November 24th at Barber Field. Teams will be split up at that time and we will follow the rules from the HOBOpedia as they become finalized. Right now, the game is scheduled to be tackle, and not touch like last year. The tailgate celebration will follow the game and I also think a stop at the Dig will be warranted. Everyone is invited, we would like to have some spectators there to take pictures or video, run the clock, keep score, and drink free beer.

The final event for Saturday, November 25th will be:

I have no idea. Traditionally this has been the day that we have a Poker Tourney. If there is still interest in playing Poker then we can consider this to be The Main Event V. If we are all getting sick of playing Poker then we can plan something else for this day. Last year's turnout was less than spectacular. Some other ideas that we could possibly do on this day are to:
1) Take another shot at the Bar Sports Showdown that we never finished during the Fourth
2) LAN party
3) Board games

I don't know maybe someone can come up with something. Thanksgiving is still two months away so I'm sure we can come up with something that everyone will be okay with. Post your suggestions and maybe we can take a vote at some point to decide what we want to do.

And there's your weekend. We'll try to have as much HOBO fun as possible between stuffing ourselves with Turkey and watching the Lions beat the Dolphins.