Fun is the point of Iowa State Fair Ladies Nail Driving Contest
The Iowa State Fair has something for just about everyone.
Take the Ladies Nail Driving Contest. It's open to any woman, no experience necessary.
Becky Hayden of St. Ann, Missouri, loves it for that. Winning the 2026 title was just the icing on the cake for her (and there's a contest for that, too).
Becky Hayden wins the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins.
She said she didn't care whether there was any particular point to the contest, other than the ones on the nails. Each contestant tries to hammer five nails flat ― no bending ― into a 1-inch square drawn on a wooden beam.
Twenty years ago, she competed in the same contest and won second place.
Becky Hayden wins the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Cari Shemenski finishes the first round in first during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Lainey Knipper during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Contestants during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Contestants are asked to drive six-penny nails into a square during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Ann Hegstrom during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Contestants watch during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Elizabeth Stockbaur during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Krista Harmison during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Halle White during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Lynda Triggs during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)Naney Fox during the Women’s Nail Driving Contest in Pioneer Hall at the Iowa State Fair Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026. The first contestant to successfully drive 5 nails wins. (Travis LaCoss/The Register)
"In fact, I was interviewed for PBS right here," Hayden said.
Between the Missouri and Iowa State Fairs, Hayden said Iowa is her favorite, hands down.
"I love the buildings at Missouri and there's good things about the Missouri fair. But here, it's just another level," Hayden said. "There are so many competitions for the average person. Anybody can play."
Kristi Porter of Indianola helps make sure the contests run smoothly.
"The crowd likes it," Porter said. "Oh, and you can tell, the one who was gonna drive that nail. The first three, four strokes that go in so far, you know that that one's gonna hit the mark."
"It's fun, no matter what you do," Hayden said. "This was a shock. I am so happy."
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at [email protected] or 515-284-8132.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Fun is the point of Iowa State Fair Ladies Nail Driving Contest
