All Aboard for Iowa

2014's parade                                                                        Allison Ullmann, Britt News Tribune

Summer does come with its share of intriguing spectacles, and this August 3 to 9, the place to be for a good time is Britt, Iowa. The little town will be hosting, as it does every year (http://somanyinterestingthings.blogspot.com/2014/07/just-dont-call-them-bums.html, http://somanyinterestingthings.blogspot.com/2013/08/hobos-and-vagrants-and-tramps-oh-my.html), the National Hobo Convention. Why Britt? It all began in 1900, according to the site, when three residents of the town decided "to 'do something different to show the world that Britt was a lively little town capable of doing anything that larger cities could do.' " On the schedule are events including a parade (of course!), the Hobo King and Queen coronation, a 5- and 10K walk/run, an auction, and a Vagabond Craft Show. "Marching bands, queens, business floats, children, adults, and hobos all come down the streets in one long line and share the fun that only a Hobo Convention can provide," according to the site. "Following the parade, mulligan stew is available, for those willing to stand in line": http://www.brittiowa.com/hobo/index.htm