Homewood Hobo Night Is Oct. 14 At Rail Park

HOMEWOOD, IL -- The annual Homewood Hobo Night will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14 and feature a slew of activities for all ages. Highlights of the night may include a Hobo costume contest, folk tales by Railroad Joe and train songs with MG Bailey.

The festivities will get underway at 6:30 p.m. at Homewood Rail Park at Chestnut and Park avenues.

The village of Homewood hosts the annual event during the fall as a way to give a nod to their strong history with the railroad as a stop for the Metra Elctric, Amtrak and former Illinois Central line.

Activities include the sampling of hobo stew compliments of Redbird Cafe and tours of the Rail Park’s retired and restored Illinois Central locomotive and caboose.

Families attending with children under 18 will receive a hobo snack (s’more fixings), a hobo name and a hobo decoder book to learn how the rail-riders communicated. Attendees are encouraged to wear hobo costumes. There will be a costume contest for the best one worn by those 18 and under.

“Homewood enjoys celebrating its rich railroad history and Hobo Night is a fun way to honor the past and offer a glimpse into a bygone area,” Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld said. “It’s always fun to see the kids (and sometimes whole families) dressed up in the spirit of Hobo Night. It’s a great time all around.”

Photo courtesy of the Village of Homewood