You never know what you're going to find during fair season, and one contest at the Iowa State Fair has people doing a double take.

Why do fairgoers hear so many turkeys at the Iowa State Fair? Well that's because they aren't turkeys. Surprise! Those "turkeys" are actually people.

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andrewburgess
andrewburgess

The Turkey Calling Contest is one of the most unique events offered at the Iowa State Fair. It's broken up by different age categories: 4-16 years old and 17 and up. They have contests for everyone to enjoy and participate in. The Iowa Contests at the state fair include:

  • Spelling Bee
  • Checkers Tournament
  • Best Bagger Contest
  • Cornhole Tournament
  • Monster Arm Wrestling Championships
  • Fiddlers' Contest
  • Hat Parade
  • Twins, Triplets, and More Contest
  • Bench Press/Deadlift Contest
  • Youth Spelling Bee

The Des Moines Register was onsite during the big Turkey Call Contest and posted a viral video on Instagram. Plenty of rain has fallen during the fair, but people still came out for the famous contest.

This Instagram video has everyone talking because technically the winner didn't do a real turkey call. He had props!

‘scuse?! Is this an ad for bird calling trinkets? Because that man did not make his own bird call.

I’m sorry but I simply cannot accept this result. We are calling this a turkey sounding competition, yet the alleged “winner” has turned up with tools and mechanical assistance. At what point did we collectively decide this was acceptable? A turkey does not have access to tools.

How are we about to allow 1st place to win when they’re using tools????

I'm joining the next one with my phone and turkey sounds on YouTube

westernphotographs
westernphotographs

The winners? Here they are from Iowa State Fair officials:

1st – Reese Kerr, Waukee
2nd - Liam Crestsinger, Coon Rapids
3rd - Raymond Kerr, Waukee

Turkey Calling Ages 17 and Over

1st – David Kerr, Des Moines
2nd - Brandon DeJong, Oelwein
3rd - Ervin Eiben, Monticello

Now it's not like the winners get a lot...just $5! Everyone else got a ribbon.

The Iowa State Fair is going on now until Sunday, August 23rd. This timeless Iowa tradition is about "Iowa’s great celebration, a salute to the state’s best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement." Enjoy some fun rides, greasy and tasty fair food, and grandstand entertainment still to come from TLC & Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue, AJR, Riley Green, Alabama, BigXthaPlug, and Josiah Queen with Ben Fuller.

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