Hobo Days? We don't have railroad tracks around here, oh wait, yes we do!

If you looked the meaning of “Hobo” up in the dictionary, you might be suprised. Most people associate a Hobo as a person who doesn’t work, spends his time traveling from town to town asking for handouts. In reality, a Hobo is a person who does travel from town to town, but instead of begging, he or she takes jobs in different towns. Sort of a traveling worker if you will. Hobos have long been known as dirty clothed people with a stick with a hankerchief tied to the end. People also associate Hobos with riding the rails. Jumping on an already moving train and riding for free to the next town. Whether you agree or disagree with the stereotype, the Hobo is a part of Americana. One family has chosen to celebrate the legend of the Hobo and their relationship with the railways. Richard and Eric Thompson who own and opperate Ironhorse Railroad Park in rural Chisago City have a hidden gem. Over the last 30 years or so, they have created a magical railroad park that is forever a snapshot in time. Ironhorse Railroad Park has everything a train nostalgist could ask for. Working trains, steam engines, and tracks that encircle their 40 sprawling acres. Over the years, Richard (a retired railroad worker) and his good friends have been adding to the railroad park for years and years. And while they will tell you the park is not even close to being what they envision, to you and me, it seems pretty incredible. We are talking about four steam engines, multiple passenger cars, a business class car, not to mention a host of other working train cars. On September 22, the Thompsons would like to invite you and your family to “Hobo Days”.

Hobo Days is an event that is geared towards families and train enthusiasts. It is a one day event that will feature train rides, a petting zoo, a flea market, food and drinks, and a gift shop. As always, the Thompsons welcome you to use their spacious picnic grounds for a picnic. You are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to receive a discount at the gate. This is a wonderful opportunity for train lovers to get close and personal with some wonderful trains of the past. It’s also a great chance to get youngsters hooked on trains. Hobo Days runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and is located on Morgan Avenue, south of Lindstrom and Chisago City. To get there from Lindstrom, go south on Olinda Trail to Morgan Avenue proceed 3.5 miles to the park. From Chisago City, take Old Towne Road south to County Road 23 (Chisago Blvd.), head east to Morgan Avenue then south to the park.