Ever heard of the Husband Calling Contest? Here are 5 bizarre Iowa State Fair contests

The Iowa State Fair is known for unique fried foods and the biggest livestock competitions, but there are also a number of weird contests that bring out people from all over to show off their legs, beards, mullets and more.

The Iowa State Fair kicks off Aug. 8 and runs through Aug. 18. Across those 11 days there are a number of different contests to watch or take part in. Here are some of the quirkiest competitions that are must-see traditions at the Iowa State Fair.

Mr. Legs Contest

Grab your short shorts because you need to show off all the leg you can in the Iowa State Fair’s Mr. Legs competition. Categories range from the thinnest leg to the hairiest. Contestants get on stage to flex or strut their stuff in this body-positivity competition. Some even go as far as taking their pants off to strut around in their underwear.

The Mr. Legs Contest starts at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 10.

More: Iowa State Fair tickets, parking and more: Your guide to 11 days of fun

Best Pigtail, Ponytail, Braid, Mullets and Mohawk Contest

Don’t forget to make a stop at your local barber before coming to the Iowa State Fair because competition is stiff for the best Pigtail, Ponytail, Braid, Mullet and Mohawk Contest. Contestants of all ages are judged on who has the best hairdo. Each hairstyle has a different standard that contestants are judged on including length, creativity, and originality.

The first division of the competition will start at 4 p.m., Aug. 18.

Turkey Calling Contest

Leave your mouth calls at home because the Iowa State Fair does turkey calling the old-fashioned way. Contestants of all ages can show off their turkey calling skills and it is far more than your average gobble.

Many of the contestants competing hunt turkeys for recreation and use their experience to inspire their sounds. With the right throaty shrill, you might find yourself taking home the gold for the best gobble.

The Turkey Calling Contest will start at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 8.

Best Beards Contest

The best beard is exactly what it sounds like. Beard lengths go head to head to determine whose facial hair is the longest. Some contestants spend years growing out their beards for the Iowa State Fair.

Past winners have had beards that are more than 32 inches long going all the way to their belt line. Judges come by with a yardstick to determine who has the best beard.

The best beard contest is at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 13.

Husband Calling Contest

Possibly the most memorably weird contest of them all at the Iowa State Fair is the Husband Calling Contest. Spouses line up one-by-one to release the pent-up anger they have against their husbands. Contestants belt their husband’s name at the top of their lungs.

During the 2023 Husband Calling Contest a 95-year-old wife took home the blue ribbon, but all of the contestants had unique holler worth hearing.

The Husband Calling contest will start at 10 a.m. Aug. 16.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.