About Us
Staff
We are an exclusively volunteer-run event that exists to promote Bootblacking and support Bootblacks. The people on the front lines are:
Daddy Sparkie- Co-Producer
girl Becky - Co-Producer & Grammar Police ;)
History of The Bootblack Round Up
In 2015, Sparkie, 2015 Illinois Community Bootblack, wanted to do a unique fundraising event to end his title year and decided to fill the void for Bootblack-focused events. So, he contacted his friend, Blackjack, who runs the Get Your Black On Charity and asked his soon-to-be wife, Girl Becky, to help with this endeavor. In 2016, Midwest Bootblack Round-Up, with support from CLAW Nation, raised $1,600 for three charities and a former IMsBB in need of assistance. Unfortunately, for personal reasons, Blackjack chose to step down from his role as Producer before our next event.
Given the success of the weekend, and the number of attendees from outside the Midwest, we dropped the first word of our name and and are excited to "round-up" Bootblacks from anywhere and everywhere.
The 2nd Annual Bootblack Roundup was held in St Louis, Missouri, at JJ's Clubhouse and Bar. With the community's help, we raised $2,000 for our three beneficiaries: Pets Are Wonderful Support, Get Your Black On, and Mr Friendly!
The 3rd Annual Bootblack Round Up Raosed 1,130.33 for the 4 Charity's Leather Heart Foundation,CLAW, Leather Archives and Museum and Broadway youth Center
The 4rd Annual Bootblack Round-Up will be in Chicago, IL during the weekend of September 20-22, 2019 at The Leather Archives and Museum.
Mission of the BBRU
As a Bootblack-focused event, Bootblack Round-Up increases visibility of Bootblacks in the community, provides a gathering place for Bootblacks to exchange ideas, and provides support to the wider community through our fundraising efforts and support of each other.