The Pullman Hobofest is a celebration of the culture and history of the American hobo. The hobo lifestyle and hobo culture has been intertwined with folk music and other American roots music, the labor movement and social activism, oral history and storytelling, and folk crafts. The Pullman Hobofest is an annual celebration of this rich history. Check out a video preview here.
Hobofest 2011
Saturday & Sunday
August 27-28
Hobofest events to include...
- Arrivals on Saturday: Block party - 113th & Champlain Ave - begins 2PM. All are welcome (especially 'bo's who are offered a free meal after making the trip). Overnight camping at the Pullman Clocktower site (111th and Cottage Grove Ave). Firepit, music and storytelling. Real hobo camping at a safe, secluded, secure site. FREE! Bring your gear, snacks and a cooler. See here for more information including photos of campsite.
- Sunday Line-up: Hobo history, lore, stories, & music. Strolling folk minstrels, storytellers, hobo crafts, samples of Mulligan stew, and historic Pullman neighborhood tours. Hobo College recreated from 2-4PM at the Pullman Clocktower, 111th St & Cottage Grove; see map below). Beginning at 2PM hobo history expert Paul Durica will convene Hobo College. Author Tina Wald will discuss her book "Rairoad Man: Legend of Lil' Jay." Rail buffs Charles Paidcock and Mike Lee will give a lighthearted presentation on High-Speed Rail. Durica will talk on hobo history and teach us the dinstinctions between tramps, hobos and bums. There will be poetry and a short play, and we have planned many interesting educational topics. Hobo/Folk Concert - 3PM-? (Bring a lawn chair or blanket). Music behind the factory begins at 3PM, interlacing hobo storytelling with a tribute to Hobo song icon, Utah Phillips. Musicians from throughout the Midwest will play a variety of folk and bluegrass tunes until dusk. Food will be available. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
* Tom Shepherd is the organizer of the annual Hobo Fest in Pullman: tomshepherd2001@yahoo.com or 1-773-370-3305
* Paul Durica founded Pocket Guide to Hell in Hyde Park. Past tours and reenactments include Ben Reitman’s Hobohemia!, Leopold and Loeb, and the 1915 Parade of the Unemployed at the Hull-House Museum. Pocket Guide to Hell has been featured in places like TimeOut, The Onion, A/V Club, Huffington Post, and The New York Times. contact Paul Durica at: pocketguidetohell@gmail.com or 1-773-822-9379
* Author, Tina Wald: http://railroadmanbook.com
* Charles Paidock/Mike Lee: http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,2411870
Hobofest 2011 is being held in cooperation with the Pullman State Historic Site of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Thanks! (You can check out their website - a great resource for historical research at www.pullman-museum.org)
Check out a video preview of Hobofest...
Facebook event created: Here's a great way to share Hobofest with your friends!
Check out our Facebook event listing for Pullman Hobofest 2011 and invite your favorite road dogs! While yer' Facebookin' make a stop by the PullmanEvents.Info Facebook Fan Page: make sure to "Like" it, please!
Calling all hobos (and well wishers)
We are currently seeking those wishing to lend their talents to 2012's festivities as well as last minute additions to 2011's lineup! Musicians, poets, artists and craftsmen, railroad collectors and historians... Please c'mon out and share with us. You can get in touch with us here.
We also seek presentations and speakers who can share their knowledge of railroad or hobo history and related topics. You can be a professor of our recreated Hobo College. In the past we've shown railroad documentaries, hosted discussions (Example: "Hobos, Tramps, and Bums - Learn the Difference!"), and shown railroad memorabilia such as antique Morse code equipment and mail pouches.
A photo gallery from some of Pullman Hobofest 2008 can be seen here (Flickr.com).
Directions to the Pullman Hobofest
Pullman can be easily reached via the I-94 expressway and Metra train. Those hopping a freight should seek advice from an experienced hobo. Hobofest can be safely reached by Metra passenger rail to the 115th St Kensington Station.
Driving directions
From downtown, take I-90 E/ I-94 E (stay on I-94 towards Indiana) to exit 66A (111th St). From the south, take I-94 W to exit 66A (111th St). Go west 4 blocks on 111th St. Consult the map below.
Metra train
Pullman can be reached via the Metra Electric Line taken to the Pullman station (111th St). From the station, walk east on 111th St and consult the map below.
- Pullman Company Clock Tower and Factory: 111th Street and Cottage Grove. Hobofest 2011
- Hotel Florence.
- Historic Pullman Foundation Visitor Center.
- Arcade Park.
- Greenstone Church.
- Pullman Stables.
M - Metra Stations
We had a great time on "The Mysterious Calumet" Bike Ride on Father's Day. Thanks everyone for coming out. Special thanks also to Ed deLeon, Howard Pence and Tom Shepherd. Check out the 
A free bicycle tune-up clinic (May 18) has been added, and details were updated on the Beaubien Woods Ride (May 23) and the "Mysterious Calumet" Father's Day Ride (Jun 20).
