DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) - As you probably know by now, the Iowa State Fair is full of contests. And that includes the husband-calling contest at Pioneer Hall.

But KCCI reports , this year, there was an important piece of the contest missing.

Over the last three years, the Iowa State Fair’s husband calling contest has become a must-see.

Much of it thanks to the performances of Bonnie Swalwell Eilert. Always calling out for her late husband, Roy.

Friday’s show was the first since her passing.

″Bonnie was an institution not only for the husband calling contest but for the fair in general," said Virginia Stone, husband calling contest contestant.

Many saw her as the blue ribbon standard. And her fame grew with the contest.

″I watched so many videos of her, and she’s just a wonderful

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