LAUREL HILL — After a one-year hiatus, the Laurel Hill Hobo Festival will return Oct. 4 to Gene Clary Park.
The decision follows a Tuesday festival committee meeting. The committee sought to find a Saturday that would not conflict with another community event.
More than 50 vendors, children's activities, entertainment from local musicians, an auction and — of course, food — comprised prior festivals.
A festival fixture is the city's iconic hobo, which honors the city’s railroad history. After the Civil War, soldiers-turned-migrant-workers traveled railroads and provided manual labor on local farms during pit stops in town.
In previous years, the festival took place on the second weekend in the month.
Last year’s Hobo Festival, postponed due to a nonprofit status issue, was replaced with “A Day in the Country Life” Fall Festival, sponsored by the Safe Haven Horse Rescue Center and the city’s volunteer fire department.
“A lot of people asked about it last year, wondering why we did not have it,” said Mayor Robby Adams, the committee’s co-chair. “I think this is a great thing to bring back to the community.”
The committee seeks vendors, sponsors and volunteers for the event.
Committee members also are organizing a talent show, which particularly will be discussed at the next committee meeting, Tuesday, July 8 at Laurel Hill City Hall.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Laurel Hill Hobo Festival Committee meeting
WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 8
WHERE: Laurel Hill City Hall, 8209 N. Highway 85
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hobo Festival date set; talent competition in the works