It shouldn't surprise you that this man is a magician because this stache is MAGICAL. The caption from this 1967 Portland Press Herald photo says: "At the Maine Magicians convention (!) held at the Narragansett Hotel ... Ernest Haskell of Augusta was honored by his fellow magicians with the title of Dean of the Maine Magicians." Well deserved, Ernest, well deserved. We commend you and your mustache.

This salt-and-pepper mustache matches these 1960s glasses perfectly. Good work, Robley C Wilson. Portland Press Herald file photo from 1967.

Look at that curl! It's like Ray Kelley is always smiling, his whiskers are so perky. Portland Press Herald archival photo from 1971.

I don't have a name or date for this Portland Press Herald file photo, but can I just say: I think firefighters have the highest mustache-per-capita rate of any career? That's based on almost nothing, but I have a hunch ...

Firemen have the best mustaches. Including this unnamed man from a 1985 Portland Press Herald file photo.

Back in 1982 the Portland Press Herald declared Charles Mouzas, of Biddeford, the best-dressed volunteer firefighter in Maine. Indeed. And, perhaps (although there is more competition) the best mustachioed. Charles was working at the Puritan Restaurant and left work to help stave a 2-acre woods fire. Portland Press Herald Archival photo by Fred Field.

Just a shadow of a stache. This is Paul Hodson who was hanging out with his local Hotrod club in Bridgton in March 1958. File photo by the Portland Press Herald.

What is there to say: Robert Manson had the mustache, he had the bow tie, he had the sweet sweet aviators - of course he got the girl. Portland Press Herald file photo from 1973.

This majestic mustache braved the wind and the cold, barely quivering in the wind as Darren Webber and it skied down a mountain in Rangeley. Portland Press Herald file photo from 1981.

Earle Hale was the president of the Singles Social Club back in 1974. That mustache sure looks presidential. Archival photo from the Portland Press Herald. No, I don't know why someone colored in the white background spots.

This bristly mustache just wants peace. "I'm against a draft ... but I'd be for some kind of public service obligation such as Vista or Peace Corps," Steve Kelley told the Press Herald in 1972.

That's one way to keep your face warm when the darn scarf keeps slipping. Good thinking, Peter McCormack, circa 1991. Portland Press Herald archive photo.

I have exactly zero context to add to this photo. I have no idea why Louis Sirois, of Westbrook, was holding those letters in 1977 or who that lady is in the frame. But that mustache! File photo from the Portland Press Herald archives.

We welcome the 2014 Stache Pag (this Saturday) with wax and enthusiasm. However, we must add context to today’s mustache. Maine has a rich, bushy history of facial hair. We have lumberjacks, firemen and magicians — yes, magicians — who have laid down the foundation of manliness and helped groom us to where we are today. We honor you, mustaches of old.

Here’s the schedule for this year’s Facial Hair Festival:

Wednesday, March 26: Stash of The Titans – ZZ Top vs Queen

Two groups of local musicians form uber cover bands and go toe-to-toe, battle of the bands style, each side taking the persona of a famous band. 9 p.m. at Empire, 575 Congress St.

Thursday, March 27: Portland Facial Hair Fest opening reception

5:30 p.m. at Empire, 575 Congress St. Rub elbows with Facial Hair celebrities. The reception will feature shorts from the International Mustache Film Festival and samples of the Curious Traveler – a mustache-inspired shandy from the Traveler Beer Company.

Friday, March 28: International Moustache Film Festival

Films will be screened in several venues from March 27 to March 30, with a full program of beard-a-licious and stache-friendly films at the Portland Museum of Art’s theater on Friday, March 28.

Saturday, March 29:

The Facial Hair Farmers Market

Noon-5 p.m. at Ocean Gateway, 14 Ocean Gateway Pier in Portland. Booths include: men’s health products, clothes, games, prizes and everything you need to keep your facial hair looking pristine.

The CAN/AM Beard and Moustache Competition of Portland

Noon-5 p.m. at Ocean Gateway. All facial hair farmers can come down and have their facial hair judged. No runway walk – just present their facial hair. Winners will be announced later at the Stache Pag.

Stache Pag

Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m. at Ocean Gateway. The main event: Men go head-to-head on the catwalk in four categories: The Magnum PI (natural mustache), The 1899 Maine Legislature (styled mustache, no beard), The Thigh Tickler (anything goes) and the Castaway (full beard, natural).

If you want more info, check out http://www.facialhairfest.com.