by Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer –
BRITT, IOWA – Friday night at Hobo Day’s in Britt was pretty mellow. It was music night and the people were enjoying some dancing.
There aren’t many rules the Hobos follow, but there are regulations that the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office and Chief Sonny Bruns puts on Hobo Jungle. It’s considered a no sinner’s camp. No illegal drugs or alcohol in jungle and the HCSO Drug dogs will be used. No dogs in jungle, on Main Avenue Midway or in any other City Parks, other than service dogs. The sound system will be turned off at 10:00 pm.
Friday night, the hobos had just got done eating, and making some popcorn. Firecracker Wendy and Tina were talking for a bit when Firecracker Wendy (pictured with Tina Wald) said, “Well, I have to go get my chores done.”
Chores are all voluntary. There is a sign-up sheet where everyone is welcome to sign up for what they would like to help with. For example, cooking breakfast, clean-up and making smores.
Tina Wald was adding wood to the fire. “Pretty soon here, the kids will gather around and we’ll be making smores.”
Last year Sunflower and Wingnut were married at Hobo Days. Thinking they’d be celebrating their first year anniversary, it was explained by a couple hobos, “They aren’t together anymore. They only lasted a couple months. We were all hoping it would last. Sunflower is here, but Wingnut isn’t.”
Tina Wald is the author of “Railroad Man, Legend of Lil’ Jay” and is signing books at the Hobo Museum.
Saturday will be the crowning of the King and Queen. “If you want to be king, you sign up on a piece of cardboard that is hung up. The present and past kings get together and pick about three or four out of the bunch that we feel would make a good king. Those that are chosen will be voted on by the community uptown. The winner is the person who gets the loudest clapping from the crowd,” said Adman, a hobo of forty years.
A fun bit of history on the crowning of King and Queen. A newspaper cutout and picture from 1967 was given to NIT to use. This was when “Montana Red” aka Roger Palmer from Hampton, was crowned “King of the Hobos”. Later to be found out he entered as a lark, and was deemed a counterfeit and not eligible. Check out the picture and read the article from unknown newspaper in 1967.
Video:
httpv://youtu.be/G_zPyNsxbSo
