MULLET BOY EMMITT BAILEY. The Menomonie 9-year-old is defending his 2022 title in the USA Mullet Championships, the final voting to determine the Top 3 opens Aug. 7-11. (Photos via Facebook)

Emmitt Bailey put himself on the map of the USA Mullet Championships last year with his domination of the Kids Contest, winning it all with nearly 10,000 votes and coming out on top over about 1,600 youths nationwide. Now, he’s back to defend his mullet crown.

The USA Mullet Championships announced the Kids Mullet Championships Top 25 last week with Bailey making the cut, reeling in more than $200 in donations and 883 votes. The Top 25 were chosen by combined scores of money raised, fan votes, and judges’ scores, so while Bailey may not have had the most donations or votes – he ranked 78 in round 2 – his standing as the 2022 Champ gave him another shot at the title.

Since Bailey’s 2022 victory, the Menomonie kiddo has made appearances on stage at Rock Fest and Country Jam, become a regular on speedways racing his kart – fulfilling his 2022 dream of buying his own go-kart – been interviewed on Fox & Friends, thrown out the first pitch for the Eau Claire Express, and much, much more.

The 9-year-old’s goal this year is simply to keep having fun and giving back. In fact, his goal this year is to raise as much money as he can toward Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors nonprofit, which is dedicated to providing critically injured U.S. military veterans with accessible and mortgage-free homes. If he does succeed in defending his title this year, he will help another kid get into the go-kart racing game, like he was able to do last year.

Final voting in the Kids Contest is open Aug. 7-11, which will bring it all down to the Top 3. You do not have to have an account to vote online, simply go to the Mullet Champ website between Aug. 7-11 and cast your vote!

Keep up with the USA Mullet Championships on Facebook and follow Emmitt Bailey online!