Thumb a ride or hop in a boxcar to Britt, Iowa because this weekend is the 107th National Hobo Convention. While you could stay at a nearby hotel, there’s free camping at the hobo jungle by the railroad tracks on the northeast side of town. In addition to the typical arts, crafts, and music, there will also be free Mulligan Stew in the park, and a hobo king and queen; “true rail-riders” as they say.

Wanna be a hobo? The convention website has some pointers from the Texas Madman Grand Duke of Hobos.

Pick a name from the long list at The 700 Hoboes Project of fictitious hobo names with illustrations. [Note: Inspired, of course, by fake-almanackist extraordinaire John Hodgman -CAJ]

Brush up on your hobo conversation points with some field recordings posted over at Otis Fodder’s 365 Days Project at WFMU (Part 11 with Sidedoor Pullman Kid is a must. Skip parts 1,2,6 if you're uncomfortable with explicit language).

Painting of Pennsylvania Kid Wilson, hobo king 1963, 1966, 1968, 1971