Hobo Day facts for kids

Hobo Day is a super fun homecoming celebration at South Dakota State University (SDSU). It usually happens in October. In 2012, Hobo Day turned 100 years old! The big parade has only been canceled three times: once during World War I, again in 1942 during World War II, and in 2020 because of COVID-19.

How Hobo Day Started

The story of Hobo Day goes all the way back to 1907. A few things happened that led to this special celebration we know today.

The Nightshirt Parade

In the fall of 1907, SDSU (which was called South Dakota State College back then) played a football game against Dakota Wesleyan in Brookings, South Dakota. Students really wanted their team to win! To get everyone excited, they had a "Nightshirt Parade." The guys wore their nightshirts, and the girls wore sheets. This became a tradition every homecoming until 1911. That year, the college leaders decided it wasn't proper for women to walk around in sheets. So, the nightshirt parade ended, and they needed a new tradition.

A New Idea Takes Flight

A student named R. Adams Dutcher had an idea. He had seen students at the University of Missouri try dressing up as hobos (travelers who wander around). That idea didn't stick at Missouri, but it sounded perfect for SDSU! Since there wasn't a big event for homecoming anymore, the students loved the idea of dressing up as hobos.

The First Hobo Day

The very first Hobo Day happened on November 2, 1912. The men were supposed to grow beards for about a month before the day. The women dressed up as Indian maidens. After all the preparations, the students went to the train station. They wanted to meet the football team they were playing against. A newspaper said it was hard to tell if you were in an old Indian village or a modern train station! The new homecoming celebration was a huge success, and it's still a tradition today.

The Hobo Day Parade

The Hobo Day parade is a big part of the celebration. It includes cool floats built by students that drive down the main street.

Floats Through the Years

In the 1940s and 50s, the floats were super big and amazing. But because of safety worries and floats sometimes falling apart, they started building them smaller. One float, which had a student dressed up in a funny way, caused some newspapers to call SDSU students "vulgar." After that, the college decided to avoid floats that were too silly or huge.

Grand Marshal

The parade is led by a special person called the grand marshal. This person is usually a famous former student or an important guest. The Grand Pooba, who is the leader of the Hobo Day Committee, chooses the grand marshal.

The Bummobile

The parade always ends with the Grand Pooba and the Hobo Day Committee riding in the famous Bummobile.

A Historic Ride

For 70 years, the Bummobile has led the Hobo Day Parade. It's a 1912 Ford Model T car. The year 1912 is important because it's when the first Hobo Day happened! When it's not in the parade, the Bummobile is displayed in a big glass case. You can see it in the Hobo Day Gallery at the SDSU University Student Union.

The Bummobile has been the first vehicle in every Hobo Day parade since 1938. The only time it didn't lead was in 1942. That year, Hobo Day and classes were canceled so students could help with World War II. A farmer named Frank Weigel donated the Bummobile in 1938. Important people like homecoming leaders and even a future U.S. president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, have ridden in it!

Keeping the Bummobile Running

Sometimes, the Bummobile has had problems. It has caught fire, lost a tire, and its brakes have stopped working. In 2006, it even had to be pushed through the parade! Because of these issues, the Hobo Day Committee worked hard to fix and restore it. In 2009, the Bummobile was sent to California for a whole year to be repaired. Now, it runs much better!

Hobo Day Incidents

In 1990, some students and visitors in Brookings became very upset after a cold, wet week. This led to what people called the Hobo Day Riots.

The 1990 Incident

People gathered in large groups on and off campus. A bonfire was started, and a news vehicle that came to film the event was overturned. Parade barriers were burned, and street signs were damaged. Even an SDSU campus police car was vandalized. After this, the future of Hobo Day was questioned by university officials.

Changes After the Incident

To prevent similar problems, large house parties were banned. The Hobo Day Committee also apologized for what happened.

Recent Hobo Day Themes and Leaders

Here are some of the themes and Grand Poobas from recent Hobo Day celebrations:

• 2000 - Hobos in Camelot
• 2001 - Hobostock
• 2002 - Operation: Hobo Day
• 2003 - Traditions: Hobo Day
• 2004 - Hobos Under Construction
• 2005 - Luck of the Hobos
• 2006 - Hobos on the Prairie
• 2007 - 007 Hobos Never Die
• 2008 - Hobos get Physical
• 2009 - Hobos Save the Day
• 2010 - Peace, Love and Hobos
• 2011 - Night of the Living Hobos
• 2012 – 100 years of Hobo - Abby Settje Rogers
• 2013 - The Tradition Lives On - Casey Janisch
• 2014 - Never Stop Wandering - Scottie DesLauriers
• 2015 - Always an Adventure - Paul Dybedahl
• 2016 - Living the Legacy - Corey Chicoine
• 2017 - Homeward Bound - Anna Chicoine
• 2018 - Together in the Tradition - Miranda Mack
• 2019 - Wander On - Jeanette Klein
• 2020 - Rooted at the Rails - Kylee Donnelly

Current Hobo Day Events

The Hobo Day Committee (HDC) at South Dakota State University plans and runs all the events during Hobo Week. The Grand Pooba is one of 17 coordinators on the HDC. They are in charge of picking students to help plan and promote Hobo Week and Hobo Day.

Hobo Gear Prep Night

Students can buy cheap donated clothes to make their "Hobo Gear." They can also bring their own clothes and buy patches or buttons to make their outfits extra special.

One Month Club

Guys grow their beards, and girls grow their leg hair for the month before Hobo Day. There are fun awards for the longest, fullest, or best attempts!

Six Month Club

For those who are really dedicated, guys grow their beards and girls grow their leg hair for six months leading up to Hobo Day (from April to October)!

Paint the Town

Local businesses in Brookings let students paint their windows. Teams are given a window to paint. A winner is chosen based on how creative, on-theme, and full of school spirit their painting is.

Rally at the Rails

This is a big pep rally in downtown Brookings. It has a live band, food, dancing, and games. It's a fun way for students and the community to start Hobo Week!

Bum-A-Meal

Students sign up to have dinner at a local home during Hobo Week. They get an address and go to eat with a family in the Brookings community.

MrMs Homelycoming

This is a funny beauty pageant! Guys dress up as girls, and girls dress up as guys. They show off their talents and do interviews.

BumOver

Students get cardboard and duct tape to build a "shanty." These shanties look like tiny homes, famous buildings, or anything they can imagine!

Cavorts Talent Show

The student talent show happens the Friday night before Hobo Day. It's often sold out! Students audition earlier in the semester to perform. The acts compete for cash prizes. Judges, often popular teachers and staff, pick the winners. Since 2010, the audience can also vote for their favorite act.

Hobo Day 5k

On the morning of Hobo Day, there's a 5k run. A local running group called Prairie Striders sponsors it.

Past Events

Some Hobo Day events that are no longer held include:

• Bumfire: A large bonfire held the Thursday night before the game.
• Hobolympics: Teams from campus groups competed in "hobo" sports.
• Residence Hall Lobby Decorating: Dorms decorated their lobbies.

Hobo Day Gallery

The Bummobile inspired the Hobo Day Gallery, which is inside the Student Union.

What's Inside

The fully restored Bummobile is the main attraction in the gallery. It also has other cool Hobo Day items. The Hobo Day Committee helped create the idea for the gallery. It's a place for students, former students, and visitors to remember and share the old traditions. The Class of 1958 helped raise money for the project.

Statues of Icons

In Fall 2011, a statue of Weary Wil, a Hobo Day symbol, was put outside the Student Union. His loyal dog, Spot, is right beside him! In 2013, a statue of Dirty Lil with her kitten, Mittens, was also added.