The Original Hobo Band of Pitman New Jersey is an internationally-renowned community band, donning the garments of the American hobo. The Original Hobo Band is unique and will attract attention to any event due to their unconventional dress and their lively music.

But the hobos were not always the hobos...

The band got its start when many of the original members graduated from Pitman High School in 1934. The high school musicians wanted to continue playing after graduation, so they formed a band. They obtained a sponsorship from "The Tall Cedars of Lebanon" in Glassboro, NJ (a Masonic organization) and became known as the "Cedar Chips Band." Sponsorship brought them bright green-and-white uniforms to perform in, and they practiced wherever they could -- in a garage, in the lobby of the Pitman National Bank -- even in a vacant jail cell at the Pitman police station.

The Cedar Chips Band performed until World War II, when many of the band's members went off to war. When they came home in 1946, the group of returning war veterans realized they could no longer fit into the old Cedar Chips uniforms they once wore. There was no money available for new uniforms. So, when they were asked to perform at a Halloween parade, they jokingly decided to wear whatever mismatched articles of clothing they could find. And thus began the transition to becoming known as the Original Hobo Band.

The band's name is attributed to a spectator at the Halloween parade. Someone said, "Here comes a bunch of bums!" -- and it stuck. The name was later refined to the more dignified "hobo" and they've been known as the Hobo Band ever since. The band reorganized, and adopted the wardrobe of the hobo as their "official" uniform.

Around 1952, the band decided it was time to have a place to call its own, and bought a parcel of land in a peach orchard on Lambs Road in Pitman. For a few years, the band would harvest their peaches and market them at the Cowtown Rodeo grounds to raise money. And the band would play a song for whomever bought a basket of peaches from them.

The Original Hobo Band has performed all over the Delaware Valley; in South Jersey, in eastern Pennsylvania and even into New York State. Twice, in 1972 and 1974, the band traveled to Europe to perform in competitions.

One of the original members of the band plays to this day. Playing in the band keeps him young. He relates: "I still play and I love it," he says. "If I didn't have this, I don't know what I'd do.  Not only does it keep me busy, it's the socializing and the fun that we have."

The band celebrated its 63th year in 2009, looking forward to many more. While continuing to develop young talent in the youth bands, all accomplished and amateur musicians are welcome to join.

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