I have information for you on the 2004 Derry Station Hobo Gathering in Derry, Pennsylvania. This will be our seventh year and I am looking forward to it. My co-host, Ohiotom, promises that he is going to stay off ladders, keep his bones intact, and show up this year.
The gathering begins Thursday, Sept. 23, with the hobo picnic held by the Derry Station Railroad Days Committee. The picnic kicks off the weekend long celebration of Derry’s railroad heritage. The festival’s hobo king and queen (usually children) are judged and crowned by the real hobos in attendance at the picnic. Last year we had the distinction of having three hobo kings here… Hobospike, Redbird Express and Grandpa Dudley.
We’re doing something new this year on Friday, Sept. 24. Some of Derry’s retired railroad workers are going to come to the jungle for a spaghetti dinner with the hobos. These gentlemen have a wealth of stories and information about railroading in Derry and are delighted to have the opportunity to share them.
The festival parade is Saturday morning. The hobos ride in the parade on a wagon pulled by an antique tractor. There is stage time set aside on Saturday and Sunday for hobo musicians.
There is a large area at the festival for selling crafts. The committee has offered to give a booth to the hobos at no charge for selling their crafts, tapes, CDs, books, etc. The only stipulation is that the items must be handmade. No flea market items are allowed. Anyone who wishes to is welcome to sell flea market type goods in the jungle.
We have hobo stew made on an open fire on Saturday and Sunday for the hobos as well as visitors from the community.
Our jungle has water, electricity and a bathroom. It is close to stores, a Laundromat and showers. Most important, our jungle is located right beside the Norfolk Southern mainline so those attending get to watch an average of 67 trains per day passing by.
…Well that took my eye…The Derry Station Hobo gathering was an unknown to me until a few years ago we visited with friends in Latrobe, Pa. and we were looking at the Depot / restaurant there in Latrobe and taking some pictures. Through our conversation we happen to drive over to Derry and our friends showed us the location of the “Hobo gathering site” there. Prior to that I never heard of the gathering. Believe it is a pretty big get together.
Apparently being a vagrant hobo, involves a pretty active social schedule. A gathering here, and there…seems like there’s just no time for other …activities…
Is there like the hobo A-list, of hobos that just have to be there or it’s a “non-event” and such…