Husband Calling Contest

[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)