Babapalooza Music Festival

Babapalooza is a “party with a purpose,” where we have been able to transform a backyard music gathering into the largest fundraiser for Future Urban Leaders, providing concerned individuals in the Fox Valley with the opportunity to support a grassroots organization with a mission to Empower Youth and Inspire the World.

The event had humble beginnings 6 years ago when the family of founder, Ross Romenesko hosted an appreciation party, providing free food, drinks and live music by Baba Ghanooj (Ross's dad is a member of the band.) People wanted to help defray costs; his response was "if you really want to give money, please consider donating to my son’s fledgling organization which is trying to create
enriching opportunities for African American students in Milwaukee." This fledgling organization which originally served 12 kids has grown into a dynamic 501(c)3 charitable organization in just a few years, serving over 120 students from grades K4 through 12th grade.

The event, affectionately known as "Baba", has grown too. What started as a single band playing to fewer than 100 people, has grown to a local music festival featuring multiple stages and 8 or 9 musical acts, ranging from an Elvis impersonator to a professional touring musician with over 700 people in attendance last year. Three years ago, we started promoting this event as a fundraiser for Future Urban Leaders and added a silent auction and custom-designed t-shirt sales. With the addition last year of generous corporate sponsors, it is now our largest single fundraiser.

Last year’s corporate sponsors included local businesses such as AB See Vision Therapy Center, Bank of Kaukauna, Bayland Buildings, Karben4, Kerber Rose, Pella Windows and Doors of Wisconsin, Romenesko Family Dentistry and Schmidtke Orthodontics.