Husband Calling Contest

Clip Season 55 Episode 5506
A good, old-fashioned yelling contest in Pioneer Hall.

A good, old-fashioned yelling contest in Pioneer Hall.

Transcript

[Regina Pirtle, Pioneer Hall Superintendent] Good morning everyone. Welcome to Pioneer Hall. Welcome to the Iowa State Fair. Welcome to the Husband Calling Contest.

(Crowd cheering)

It is a contest where women are to call their husband in out of the fields, because years ago, that was only form of communication. We didn't have cell phones back then and their voices mattered.

Okay, judges, are you ready? Number 892.

[Contestant 892] Gary, come here right now. We're gonna be late for the fair. Come here right now. Gary, where are you? There you are. Tucker let's get in the car.

(Crowd cheering)

[Contestant 896] Thomas! Richard! Harold!

[Contestant] Come on, sweetheart. You can do it. Here's my little kiss for you.

(Contestant making kissing sounds)

[Contestant 895] Here. Duggan.

[Contestant 898]  Dominic! Where is the antipas that we had for the celebration? Dominic!

(Text on screen — 3rd place husband calling)

[Contestant 897] Hold your ears.

(Text on screen — 2nd place husband calling)

(Contestant 897 holds a high pitch holler while mother covers her baby's ears)

[Wendy Bryce, Onawa] I think it's just fun. It's so much fun. I know people from other states are like, "What is this?" And I was like, "What do you mean, what is this? This is fun. It's entertaining. It's just a good time." And it's literally really cool to see what everybody comes up with. 

Risty. Risty. Darling. Calling, calling.

(Text on screen — 1st place husband calling)

It's your wife. It's time to come in the house for dinner. So stop. Come on, wait and listen. It's your wife and she needs your attention. Dinner is up on the table. So get your butt in there and out of the stable. Cause it's time to come in. It's time to come in. It's time to come in for dinner. I'm making chicken, potatoes and biscuits. I'm making steak and potatoes and biscuits. It's time to come now. Stop milking the cow and stop feeding that sow. It's time to come in the house for dinner right now.

(Crowd cheering)

Read the Full Transcript

Watch More

    Documentary
    Experience the Iowa State Fair through the eyes of four individuals maintaining its traditions.
    Documentary
    The story of the Iowa State Fair — Iowa's annual showcase and its biggest celebration.
    SpecialSeason57Episode2026
    On Saturday, August 15 at 7 p.m., Iowa PBS will offer a live broadcast of the 2026 Iowa State Fair Queen Contest. The event will also be livestreamed on iowapbs.org and YouTube.
    SpecialSeason57Episode2026
    The Iowa State Fair parade, featuring high school marching bands, floats, cool cars, special causes and more.
    SpecialSeason56Episode2025
    The Bill Riley Talent Search showcases young Iowans' talents and an Iowa State Fair tradition.
    ClipSeason56Episode5606
    Knock-knock! Who’s there? Some of the funniest kids in Iowa. The State Fair’s Joke Telling Contest is full of charm, chuckles, and pint-sized punchlines.
    ClipSeason56Episode5606
    Bags fly and rivalries ignite at the Iowa State Fair Cornhole Tournament. Watch fierce teams compete for bragging rights in this fun, fast-paced showdown.
    ClipSeason56Episode5606
    Get a whiff of tradition! The Cow Chip Throwing Contest at the Iowa State Fair is messy, hilarious, and surprisingly competitive. Watch the chips fly!
    ClipSeason56Episode5606
    Think you know your plants? At the Iowa State Fair, contestants race to identify dozens of weeds in a unique contest that’s part quiz, part nature walk.
    ClipSeason56Episode5606
    Watch skilled utility workers climb, race, and compete at the Iowa State Fair’s Lineman’s Rodeo—a thrilling display of strength, speed, and precision.