Second Annual Hobo Gathering - April 21-24, 2004

2003-2004 National Hobo Queen Mama Jo (Jo LeCount of Kansas City) and Hobo King Spike (Charles Gill of Rainbow City, Alabama).
John-John starts the campfire on Friday night for opening ceremonies with about 20 hobos in attendance. On Saturday night John-John was dubbed a Grand Duke in a ceremony which involved not only the current King and Queen but also last year's royality and two past Queens.
The hobos salute the preveiling winds during opening campfire ceremonies Friday night.


The King and Queen were honored by Curator J. K. Gurner (right) and Water Valley Mayor Larry Hart, a former railroader.
Oakland, Miss., resident T. L. Williams, a veteran, was asked to present the flag during opening ceremonies Friday night. Behind him are two Hobo Kings. On the left is RedBird Express, 2002-2003 King, and Hobo Spike, 2003-2004 King.
The King and Queen honor Miss Charlotte and Loco Larry (the O'Briants of Amory, Miss) for all the good works they have done which includes acting as hosts to the hobos during the Amory Railroad Festival.
J. K. Gurner was given the hobo moniker of "Railroad Curator".
Danville Dan, the singing hobo, entertained with an assortment of songs and stories on both Friday and Saturday night.
Members of the Gurner family accepted an award from the King and Queen honoring the late Bruce Gurner for his work in perserving Water Valley's Railroad History. It is Bruce's collection that is the core of the Water Valley Casey Jones Railroad Musuem.
Among the entertainers were the National Hobo Gospel Singers (or at least two-thirds of them) Lady Sonshine (left) and Lady Nightingale, last year's Queen. With them is Virginia Slim who sang, recited poetry and told stories.
Group photo of the hobos, hobo historians, and guests.

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