Photo courtesy of Bob Esposito

The convention is held the second weekend every August in Britt, Iowa!

Hobo Day 2009 is Aug. 6,7,8, and 9.

Hobo Jungle open to public throughout Convention.

This year's National Hobo Convention started for Hobo Santa, Brender [the wife
of Liberty Justice and me Thursday a week before the actual convention.    We
were driving down highway 18 headed for Britt.  We noticed the "skyline" of
Britt the water tower and the grain elevator.  We knew seeing Britt "skyline"
we were almost there and getting excited for the 108th National Hobo
Convention. 
     This years Hobo Days started Thursday afternoon with a special memorial tribute
"Celebrating the Life of Jerry "Liberty" Justice.  The service started with the
presentation of Colors, Opening prayer by Bud Bockelman, Veteran Memorial gift
of an American Flag presented by Jerry Christensen, Life is Like A Mountain
Railway sung by Diana and Bob Suckiel, [known as Mama Pipes and CN&E], Memorial
Service by Bud Bockelman, Obituary by Connecticut Shorty, Reminiscing tribute
from Linda Hughes, President of Hobo Foundation and Curator of Hobo Museum,
Mayor Jim Nelson, and Liberty's brother Jerry Justice.  Luther completed the
service by singing his version mixed with Liberty' song, Let Me Ride to Heaven
on a Train.
     The Hobo Days was official opened by 2002 National Hobo King Redbird Express
with the traditional lighting of the campfire, salute to the winds, and ashes
from hobo gatherings and ashes from The Whittler, Liberty Justice and Slo
Freight Ben.  The Serenity National Hobo Gospel Singers sang The Star Spangle
Banner.  Reigning King Tuck and Queen Sonshine greeted the audience.  Several
hobos and hobos at heart entertained at the Jungle.
     A special memorial service was held Friday Morning at Evergreen Cemetery at the
National Hobo Cemetery for the seven hobos who caught the westbound: Queen Slo
Freight Ben [September 28, 2007]; Gas Can Paddy [October 28, 2007]; Hobo
Whittler [December 19]; Jungle Jack [December 29]; King Side Door Pullman Kid
[February 8, 2008]; King Liberty Justice [April 23, 2007] and Bruce "Utah
Phillips" Phillips [May 23, 2008].  This years Master of Ceremony was Mama Jo
who introduced several participants the American Legion VFW Color Guard, King
Tuck, Lady Sonshine, Fast Track, Serenity National Hobo Gospel Singers,
Connecticut Shorty, Connecticut Tootsie, Minneapolis Jewel, Milwaukee Mike,
Luther the Jet, Bob and Diana Suckiel, Adman and Preacher Steve.  
     Britt was buzzing with CBS cameras filming the 108th National Hobo Convention.
Hobo Paul (Cady) invited Bill Geist, Correspondent, CBS News Sunday Morning
Show.  The program is to air on CBS in September.  The exact date is not set.
     Downtown Britt's Hobo Museum was busy as numerous people toured the old hobo
museum with a "new face lift of new displays" thanks to Bridget and the Iowa
students.  
      The 2008 Jungle "Crumb Boss" [hobo lingo for head chef] was Cookin' Mama with
numerous hobo volunteers.  Meals were planned and served daily for breakfast
and supper.  Hobos and guests also check out Mary Jo Hughes Hobo House
Restaurant for memorabilia of hobo pictures and a meal.
     This years Hobos Ladies Tea theme was "Christmas in August".  The tables were
all decorated with Christmas decorations.  Local Britt resident, Jan Hughes and
daughters were the entertainment singing Christmas Songs.  They did a wonderful
job changing fun Christmas Songs with hobo lyrics.  The guests were each given
a special token gift from the Hobo Lady Host.
     Leanne Costelle, portrait painter of Hobo Royalty was excited to unveil the
painting of King Tuck and Lady Sonshine in front of CBS cameras.   
     King Tuck and Lady Sonshine at the hobo jungle honored Bill Geist with a
special hobo walking stick signed by the hobo family.  Other dubbings consisted
of Terry Anderson being dubbed the moniker of "Tinker Man".  Once again MC
Halftrack introduced several of the hobo family and guests who entertained. 
     The crowds lined the parade route especially the children waiting for the tons
of candy thrown by participants of the parade.  Hobos were in golf carts and on
floats this year.  2002 National Hobo King Redbird Express got a huge surprise
during the parade route when 27 Pennsylvania fan club fans rooted him on.  The
group came to Hobo Days by a bus.   The town has a special aroma that excited
the taste buds of several guests as they got in line for the tradition Hobo
Mulligan Stew.  The recipe is fixed out doors in several barrels to feed 5,000
people.  
     Each year at Hobo Days the big attraction is the King and Queen Coronation.
Candidates each gave a two minute or less speech why they would make a good
Hobo King or Queen.  The Queen candidates were Zipper, Double B, Cookin' Mama
and Connecticut Tootsie.  The King candidates were Grain Car George, Dante and
Stretch.  Meet the 2008 National Hobo King Stretch and Queen Connecticut
Tootsie. 
     The past several years has had mixed and hurt feeling with no rules listed who
is eligible to run for Hobo King or Queen.   This year was no different except
rules were adopted and posted prior to the Coronation.  Hobo Kings Tuck, Iwegin
Ric, Iron Horse Brad, Adman, Hobo Spike, Redbird Express, Grandpa Dudley, Bo
Grump, Preacher Steve, Frog, Luther the Jet held a special meeting.
Minneapolis Skinny took notes.   The new rules are to be posted each year prior
to candidates posting their name as a contestant. 
     The new hobo royalty King Stretch and Queen Tootsie gave short speeches at the
hobo jungle Saturday evening.  They dubbed Jerry Christenson with the moniker
SGT of Arms.  Connecticut Tootsie honored him by giving him a pin off her vest
that represented her having a daughter soldier, Lauren in Iraq.  Jerry
Christenson, the person in charge of the Britt Color Guard too has a daughter
in Iraq.  Once again great entertainment was enjoyed by everyone at the jungle.
     Sunday morning M.A.D. Mary conducted a campfire service giving Praise to the
Lord.  The Serenity National Hobo Gospel Singers sang.  At the end of the
service Hobo Kings Adman and Tuck put the last of the ashes of King Liberty
Justice on the tracks as a special tribute to him.
      The 2008 National Hobo Convention was closed by King Stretch.  Several hobos
pitched in to clean up the jungle and put the entire kitchen items away.  You
could see several hobos giving a goodbye hug and even shedding a few tears as
they said goodbye to one another.   Then one by one the hobos were leaving in
their vehicles (rubber tramps); some were hitch hiking, and some were planning
to leave the hobo way catching a freight train.