National Hobo Convention, Annual hobo gathering in Britt, United States
The National Hobo Convention is an annual gathering of migratory workers and train-riders held during the second weekend of August in Britt, Iowa. The weekend features a hobo museum, craft shows, outdoor church services, and live musical performances throughout the grounds.
The gathering started in 1900 as a meeting point for traveling workers who formed part of America's workforce following the Civil War. It has endured as an established tradition that continues to honor this mobile working class.
The event features the coronation of a Hobo King and Queen, rituals that emerge from the traditions and values of traveling workers themselves. These ceremonies show how migratory laborers created their own sense of community and identity over generations.
The grounds are easy to walk around and activities are spread throughout the weekend, allowing you to move at your own pace. Wear comfortable shoes and bring layers to handle changing weather conditions.
The Hobo Jungle area shows visitors authentic camps and the codes and signals that traveling workers developed to communicate with each other. These marks and messages were simple ways for migrants to share information about safe places and dangers on their routes.
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