National Hobo Week

 This year I am posting about some of the interesting national weeks throughout the year.  This week is National Hobo Week.

National Hobo Week is celebrated along with the Hobo Convention held in Britt, Iowa.  The hobos set up their camps (also known as a hobo jungle) and peddle their wares or entertain throughout the week.  The hobo convention is the largest gathering of hobos, rail riders and tramps to celebrate the traveling worker.

Yea.  Workers.  Growing up, I always thought Hobos didn't work and rode the trains from town to town to get food or money.  Such is not the case.  They are traveling workers, unlike tramps and bums who do not work.

Oh, and hobos are still around.  I thought they were a thing of the past, you know, from the 1920's.

In case you plan on attending the hobo convention, you should brush up on your hobo lingo.

Big Rock Candy Mountain - hobo heaven 

Big House - Jail

Hobo Hieroglyphics - set of symbols to communicate with one another, availability of food or danger

Jungle - Hobo campsite

reefer - refrigerated boxcar

westbound - a train that a hobo hopes to die on

How to celebrate?  

Attend the National Hobo Convention

Do a little research on some famous hobos.