LEHI — More than a dozen long-haired, bearded men congregated at Porter’s Place in Lehi on Friday in hopes of most resembling the restaurant’s namesake, Porter Rockwell, for a look-alike contest. To commemorate what would have been Porter Rockwell’s 200th birthday, Porter’s Place held a party.

Robert Trepanier, owner of Porter’s Place, arranged the birthday festivities. He invited local talk radio personalities Grant Nielsen and Amanda Dickson to judge the contest.

“I wouldn’t touch the judging,” Trepanier said. He was happy with the number of people who participated in the contest and was already thinking about doing it again next year.

A $2 investment in long artificial hair helped Scott Barker beat out 12 other Rockwell look-alikes, winning cash and gift certificates worth $1,000. Barker, who has a long natural beard, said his wife sewed $2 of fake hair into an old gray hat to perfect his costume.

Even 200 years after Rockwell’s birth he is still viewed as a controversial figure among LDS people, but Barker chose to focus on Rockwell’s generous nature, business savvy and love of family.

“I think it would be amazing to meet him someday,” Barker said.

Unlike Rockwell, Barker has never been in a gun fight or spent time in jail, nor served as a bodyguard to two LDS prophets but Barker did say that like Rockwell, he enjoys participating in mountain man rendezvous.  

“I just think it’s a good family activity. We go camping and maybe compete in Dutch oven cook-off, “he said.

Jim Hutchings also participated in the Porter Rockwell look-alike contest.

“My wife said when I got this,” Hutchings said, patting his belly, “you ought to play Santa.” Hutchings’ long beard and long white hair, in addition to his knowledge of Rockwell’s history, made him a judge’s favorite but his seasonal job as Santa may have hurt his chances. Dickson, one of the contest judges, said Hutchings had such a sparkle in his eye she just couldn’t picture him as Rockwell.

Hutchings said the owner of Porter’s Place encouraged him to take part. The Hutchings family is deeply connected with Lehi. Hutchings said, “My grandfather was Lehi’s first postmaster, first scoutmaster and founded the museum. I’ve definitely got a legacy in Lehi,” he said.

The Hutchings Museum also marked Rockwell’s 200th birthday on Friday, with free cake and a lecture presented by John Rockwell the great-great grandson of Porter Rockwell.