Britt Iowa's Hobo Days

Festival or Event in Britt, IA

Hobos were migratory workers who helped satisfy America’s labor needs starting after the Civil War. They were “homeless” by choice; they worked to travel and traveled to work. Their chief mode of transportation has always been freight trains.

Since 1900 the City of Britt, Iowa has been hosting a National Hobo Convention. The non-profit Hobo Day Association supports the National Hobo Convention by hosting a weekend festival that includes a parade, entertainment, arts and crafts, food and lots of fun. The highlight of this festival is the election of the King and Queen of the Hobos. The hobos come to town and set up a hobo jungle, sell their crafts and provide free entertainment to visitors. Not to be missed in your visit to the Hobo Days festivities and the National Hobo Convention, is the Hobo Memorial Cemetery where many steam era hobo have been laid to rest; and the National Hobo Museum where many authentic hobo artifacts are on display.

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Britt Iowa's Hobo Days

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Hancock County, IA


Hancock County, IA

Visit our county page and you will find information about our town and county's points of interest, festivals/events and faith community. You also will find stories about the contributions made by farmers/ranchers located throughout our county and of course you will learn about the community organizations that have built and continue to build strong communities (chambers, community groups, and departments, etc) and much more when you visit the Hancock County, IA page.