New Book - Hometown Celebrations

Hodag Capital of the WORLD!!

Rhinelander, Wisconsin

What is a Hodag? The people in this town know. It is a legendary creature with horns and was finally captured by a local lumberjack in the late 19th century. According to legend, they grow here to be over 6 feet long and are pretty scary. When you visit this community, you will find the town is covered with statues of this creature. They take their Hodags seriously. By the way, if you believe in Jack a lopes you should believe in Hodags!



Britt, Iowa - Hobo Capital of the World

The Hobo Convention has been going on in this community since 1900. In 1899, the town leaders were able to convince the leaders of Tourist Union #63 to move their convention permanently from Chicago to Britt, Iowa. You see, Tourist Union #63 members were real hobos. In the 19th century traveling migrant workers were often arrested for vagrancy when not employed. However, if you were a member of a union, you were given free passage on a train to your next destination. These workers used this loophole, created a union, and were able to travel free across the United States to find work. These types of union workers became known as hobos and there was a very large number of them. So for the town of Britt to land a big convention from Chicago was a big deal. In the late 1890’s, it was estimated there were over 500,000 hobos in the United States. Today, the tradition is more of a family affair which is held in August. This weekend event includes a parade, crowning of a Hobo King and Queen, and serving mulligan stew in the city park. Real hobos still come here to celebrate and exchange stories with the locals. If you venture downtown, you can even visit the one and only Hobo Museum!

World Capital of Mules

Lathrop, Missouri
There may not be a lot of mules left in this community but the town still claims the title due to its past. The mule was a great asset to the farmers throughout the United States in the 19th century. Mules are stubborn but they are a much better work animal than horses. Missouri became the place for mules. In 1890, Missouri had over 240,000 of them. I guess that is why Missouri claims the mule as its state animal. Anyway, the Guyton and Harrington Mule Company came to Lathrop. By 1891, this company doubled the population of mules in the state of Missouri. Many people in the nation thought their mules were the finest in the world. For you city folk who wonder how to make a mule, it is a hybrid created from a “jack” (male donkey) and a “jenny” (female horse). In August, the community is host to a mule show. It’s quite an event!

Hodag Capital of the World

Rhinelander, Wisconsin

What is a Hodag? The people in this town know. It is a legendary creature with horns and was finally captured by a local lumberjack in the late 19th century. According to legend, they grow here to be over 6 feet long and are pretty scary. When you visit this community, you will find the town is covered with statues of this creature. They take their Hodags seriously. By the way, if you believe in Jack a lopes you should believe in Hodags!

Pretzel Capital of the World

Reading, PA


Pretzel Capital of the World

There has been a long tradition of pretzel making in this community. In 1884, the Bachman Pretzel Company opened and grew to become a giant in the pretzel industry. The Spannuth family came here in the 1920’s. Their operation became a success overnight and is known as the Unique Pretzel Company. Later in the 1940’s, the Tom Sturgis Pretzel Company opened and became another legendary giant pretzel manufacturer. Today, the town is still world renowned for its pretzels. There are dozens of pretzel companies in the community. If you are ever honored with the “Key to the City”, you will find a pretzel on it.

You say potato?

Blackfoot, ID _-Potato Capital of the World


This community is located in the heart of eastern Idaho potato country. Idaho potatoes may be the most famous found in the world. The town is host to the “Potato Museum”. Here, you can find out anything and everything you ever wanted to know about potatoes. You can also see the “Worlds Largest Potato Chip”! They even have a picture of the largest potato ever grown!