On the Hobo Convention (Iowa) & Hoboes

Taking place the second weekend in August is The National Hobo Convention is a convention hosted in the town of Britt, Iowa (organized by the local chamber of commerce).

The event is highlighted by a parade, described as "Some in rags, some in tags, some in velvet gowns".

The Hobo Museum is open to the public, and the Hobo Jungle, where hoboes sleep, is open to the public.

This year's convention is August 10-12.

For more on the Hobo Convention, go to: brittiowa.com/hobo/index


HERE'S MORE ON HOBOES:

Origins of "Hobo" - Various Versions:

1. "Ho, beau" - Hello, good looking boy
2. "Houston & Bowery" - Manhattan Street Corner in what was once a down & out part of town
3. "Hoboken, New Jersey" - Origin and destination of many trains
4. "Homeward Bound" - Origins in soldiers returning after end of Civil War
5. "Hoe Boys" - Name given to migratory agricultural workers of the 18th century
6. "Hopping Boxcars"

Said to have first started after the Civil War, gained more prominence in the age of the railroad, height was during the Great Depression.


What's the Difference Between A Hobo, a Tramp and a Bum ?

Hobo: A migratory worker, some with a special skill or trade, others ready to work at a task, but always willing to work to make his way.
Tramp: A traveling non-worker, moving from town to town, but never willing to work for the handouts that he begs for.
Bum: The lowest class, one who is too lazy to roam around and never works.



Britt's Mulligan Stew

Twenty stew pots are used. They hold a total of:

450 lbs. beef
900 lbs. potatoes
250 lbs. carrots
35 lbs. green-red peppers
300 lbs. cabbage
100 lbs. turnips
10 lbs. parsnips
150 lbs. tomatoes
20 lbs. chili pepper
25 lbs. rice
60 lbs. celery
1 lb. bay leaves
24 gal. mixed vegetables
10 lb. kitchen bouquet flavoring
About 400 loaves of bread are served. The finished stew fills about 5,000 8-oz cups.

Mulligan of Happiness
Take a large bowl, fill it with sunshine. Add a bit of patience, faith and kindness. Sift a cup of romance with a teaspoon of sympathy, a teaspoon of forgiveness, moisten with a teardrop, adding tolerance, friendship along with ambition. Mix well with stardust, fold in imagination, place in a heavenly blue pan, bake well with the light of God's candle. Serve every day and it will bring you a mulligan of Happiness.