Hobos Convene for 122nd Convention this weekend

BRITT – The 122^ndannual gathering of the kings and queens of the rail and road will take place at Britt this week. The National Hobo Convention and Hobo Days festivities are Aug. 11-14.

Britt merchants will have sidewalk sales throughout the week. The Vagabond Craft Show & Collectables will be on Main Street, Friday and Saturday.

Carnival rides will operate on Main Street, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

There will be hobo entertainment at the hobo jungle nightly at 7 p.m. 

August 11

The Little Miss Britt contest will be held 5:30 p.m. at the City Park gazebo.

At 7 p.m., the official lighting of the fire and Four Winds Ceremony will take place at the Hobo Jungle.

August 12

A memorial service for hobos who “caught the westbound” begins 9 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery.

Unveiling of portraits of the 2021 Hobo King and Queen, BazzMan and Angelica “Sully” Ward will take place 11:30 a.m. at the Hobo Art Gallery.

Minneapolis Jewel and Barb “Bookwoman” Hacha will be doing a book signing in front of the National Hobo Museum at 1 p.m.

At 5 p.m. a reading of hobo poetry will take place in the pavilion at the hobo jungle.

There will be the Britt-West Hancock alumni banquet and social hour at the West Hancock Grade School from 5-6:30 p.m.

Have your picture taken with “hobo royalty” at the Queen’s Garden 6-6:30 p.m.

Other evening entertainment on Main Street includes Crazy Boy Coy (juggling, stilts and more), The Real Beals one-man band, and more entertainment at the Hobo Jungle at 7 p.m. 

The pop and classic cover band Blacktop will perform in concert at Veteran’s Park, at 7 p.m.

August 13

Saturday’s events begin bright and early.  A 5k/10k Run & Walk takes off from Lions Park.

The Hobo Days Parade gets underway at 10 a.m. Britt businessman Jon Swenson will be the 2022 parade grand marshal.

Following the parade, free mulligan stew will be served at City Park.

The Armstrong-Larson House will be open for tours until 4 p.m.

At 12:30 p.m. an auction of Hobo Days memorabilia will be held at the gazebo at City Park.

Coronation

Who will be the next to wear the coffee can crown? The highlight of the festival is the coronation of the 2022 Hobo King and Queen at 1 p.m. at the City Park gazebo.

Afternoon entertainment includes toilet bowl races at 3 p.m. Kids pedal tractor pull is at 4 p.m. on Main Street.

Out at the Hancock County fairgrounds, the Ag Museum will be open to visitors from 1-4 p.m. 

The evening concludes with music by Rockland Road a country/pop family band from Nashville. The concert begins 7 p.m.

August 14

A classic car, truck, motorcycle and tractor show will be on Main Street 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information in on the Hobo Days Car Show Facebook page or call Jared Wingert at 515-408-1074. Rain date for the car show only is August 21. 

An omelet breakfast will be served at the Britt Municipal Building, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Enjoy homemade pie and ice cream from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Britt Municipal Building.