The Mustache Awards are Coming to St. Louis

Mustaches. They invoke dignified old timey crap that we all love so much, like the guy riding the bicycle with the really large front wheel or the ripped weightlifter who's now probably someone's great-grandfather. Mustaches also make us think of the 1970s, when they took on a sexier mystique. Then there were the early '90s, when baseball players began sporting them by the dozens. Today, all of those mustache stereotypes have been, umm, mushed together to create an icon of American culture.

So why not award someone who wears the 'stache and encompasses all of the required American elements to sporting one?

The St. Louis-based American Mustache Institute is holding such an awards ceremony in just a few weeks, "'Stache Bash '08."

Former St. Louis Cardinal Keith Hernandez is among the sixteen nominees for the title of Robert Goulet Memorial Mustached American of the Year.

Why give an award for a mustache? Well it's more than just a lip sweater, it's sign of manliness, unfettered cool and hint of sexiness.

Just read this excerpt written by the folks at AMI about Hernandez:

"Keith's mustache has dated a woman who's been on the cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue three times – Cheryl Tiegs – and his mustache is the MOST famous mustache ever to star on 'Seinfeld.'"

You can cast your vote for your favorite 'stached man here: AMI - Mustache American of the Year. Voting ends on October 17.

The AMI has also interviewed rock musicians like Jim James from My Morning Jacket.

'Stache Bash '08, will be held on October 25 at Lumiere Place Casino.

- Nick Lucchesi