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International Mr. Bootblack Competition

IML is pleased to once again welcome and offer our thanks to BootWerks of Ft. Lauderdale as the presenting sponsor of the International Mr. Bootblack Competition.

A Message from Andrew “Bootdog” Johnson, International Mr. Bootblack Competition Coordinator

International Mr. Leather 2013 brings with it the 21st annual International Mr. Bootblack competition and a new and exciting chapter in the story of IMBB, as well. This year, we have implemented a judging system to select International Mr. Bootblack 2013. Contestants will be evaluated by a panel of judges on the basis of their technical bootblacking skills, how they present themselves on stage and in public and what they say in an interview with the judges. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t still need participation from the IML attendees. Balloting still makes up a significant portion of each contestant’s final score, so don’t forget to tuck your ballot in your wallet, stop by, have your boots done, and see why bootblacking is such a big deal for many people. If you’ve never had your boots worked on before, you’re in for a treat. Balloting begins with the opening of the vendor market at noon on Friday and continues during market hours through 3:00pm on Sunday.

Throughout the weekend, the volunteer staff of International Mr. Bootblack works tirelessly to raise funds for the International Mr. Bootblack Travel Fund. In addition to collecting and cataloging the kind donations for our Silent Auction, our volunteers also staff the table at the bootblack competition area in the vendor market, selling International Mr. Bootblack Travel Fund pins and year-bars. For $10, you can purchase a pin and year-bar (or just the year-bar, if you purchased the pin in previous years), and show your support for your International Mr. Bootblack title holder.

We also are holding a raffle for a pair of boots from our sponsor, BootWerks of Fort Lauderdale ($450 value). Tickets will be available at $1 for ticket, $5 for 6 tickets, and $10 for an inseam or chest measurement (a good time in and of itself!). The drawing will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday afternoon, and the winner does not need to be present to win.

Also, please join us on Saturday evening for Spitshine, the annual Bootblack Party. As in previous years, we will be conducting a silent auction with items donated by the bootblack contestants, IML Market vendors and others. The offerings are generally quite varied and have always included some terrific items that you can’t find elsewhere. We will also have some light hors d’oeuvres and, of course, chocolate cake, which is a Bootblack tradition. Travel fund pins and raffle tickets will also be sold during the party. Time and location for Spitshine will be announced in the coming weeks.

On behalf of myself, the International Mr. Bootblack contestants, judges, volunteers, and Bootblacks everywhere, we look forward to seeing you at IML.

Andrew Johnson
aka Bootdog
Coordinator, International Mr. Bootblack