123rd National Hobo Convention returns this week

            BRITT - Britt’s annual Hobo Convention will be returning to town from August 10 through 13. Hobos from across the country gather in Britt every year to meet up with friends, participate in events, and crown a new hobo king and queen. 

            Many activities will take place on Friday August 9. These include the Retail Merchants Sidewalk Sales and a dog parade in the city park gazebo.

            The Hobo Museum on Main Ave. will be open this week from, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

            Thursday August 10

            The Hobo Art Gallery opens at 3 p.m. at 42 North Main until 6 p.m during the celebration.  The carnival will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for all days except Sunday, which will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

            Little Miss Britt and Little Mr. Britt will be crowned at 5:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Main Ave. Event Center in Britt (next to the Britt Bar & Grill).

            To end the evening, at 7 p.m. the Official Fire Lighting, Four Winds Ceremony plus entertainment will commence at the Hobo Jungle.

            Friday August 11

            At 9 a.m., the hobo memorial service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. More art related events such as artist’s choice will take place throughout the morning. The unveiling of a painting of the 2022 Hobo King and Queen will take place at the Hobo Art Museum at 11:30 a.m.

            The Vagabond Craft Show and Collectables event will be on Main Ave. until 8 p.m. The evening will be full of music-related activities as well as the alumni banquet at West Hancock Grade School at 6:30 p.m. 

            The night concludes with the Parks and Rec Glow Run. Registration starts at 8 p.m. and begins at the city park gazebo at 8:45.

            Saturday August 12

            Grand Marshal Bill Eckels will lead the parade at 10 a.m. After the parade, free Mulligan Stew will be served at city park. An auction of hobo memorabilia will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the City Park gazebo.

            At 1 p.m. is the Hobo King and Queen Coronation in city park, where contestants will stake their claim to the crown.  Only two hobos will succeed.

            Events such as the toilet bowl races and kids pedal power tractor pull will take place on Main street through the afternoon.

After the parade tours of the historic Armstrong-Larson House on 2ndSt. SE will available until 4 p.m.

            Country Pop band Rockland Road will perform at 7 p.m. in Veteran’s Park alongside Hobo Entertainment at the Hobo Jungle.

            Sunday August 13

            An omelet breakfast will be served by the cheerleader and wrestling teams of West Hancock at the municipal building from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Classic Car, Truck, Motorcycle, and Tractor show will be on main street at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. 

            Crafts and food vendors and the Hobo Art Gallery will be open throughout the rest of the morning and afternoon until 3 p.m. when the festivities conclude.