Remembering Chad Bullard Friends Keep His Memory Alive At Annual Bullardfest 2-On-2 Hoop Celebration
Euripedes said a man is known by the company he keeps. In that case, Chad Bullard must have been quite a man.
Despite Sunday’s sweltering heat, about 100 people gathered in the North Indian Trail neighborhood for Bullardfest.
Twenty-seven basketball teams took turns sweating and dribbling on Don Santos’ backyard half-court for the annual 2-on-2 tournament. But the primary purpose of the people talking under tents, eating and shooting baskets wasn’t basketball.
They came to celebrate Bullard’s memory.
Six years ago, Bullard drowned in the Spokane River at the age of 24. Gregarious and fun-loving, Bullard had a wide circle of friends from his days at Shadle High School and his four years as an American Legion baseball coach.
After Bullard’s death, friends tossed around ideas of the best way to remember him and came up with Bullardfest, a 2-on-2 tournament. Because Santos’ house was the only one with a sport court, he became the designated host.
“Chad was always the guy to have the parties. He was the one who got everyone together,” remembered Santos, who coached baseball with Bullard. “But it wouldn’t just be a barbecue. He’d plan for us to watch 15 hours of World Wrestling Federation and we’d have to dress up to do it.”
Bullardfest is a reunion of sorts - a chance for friends to share memories and swap stories.
“This is the best day of the year,” said friend Mari Brown. “All our lives have gone separate ways. People are married and have kids now. It’s different than 10 years ago when we all practically lived together.”
“It’s a fitting tribute to him,” added Russ Grimmer, a friend of Bullard’s since ninth grade, “because he was the one who always brought everyone together.”
The party draws friends - and friends of friends - from all over Spokane. Some fly in from Seattle and California. Each year brings a few new faces.
“There’s lots of people here who didn’t know Chad,” said longtime friend Brian Smelcer. “But Bullardfest is just about friends.”
The event has become so popular some people plan their vacations around it.
Each year, Bullardfest has a different theme. Last year’s German theme featured bratwurst and a polka band. This year, ‘80s music blared from the patio, and the most valuable player received a vintage Thundercade arcade video game.
“It’s great,” said Bullard’s younger sister, Amanda, with a big smile. “Chad would think this was really cool.”
Medals and trophies are awarded in such categories as “most likely not to be invited back” and “worst vertical.” One team came dressed as nuns, vying for the “best dressed” award. Others took extra helpings of burgers and ribs, trying hard for “most food consumed.”
The laughs and stories flowed freely, along with an occasional tear. Before the final game, friends made a toast to Bullard and to his friendship.
“It blows me away that these guys still come together for this,” said Larry Bullard, Chad’s father. “They are a beautiful group of people. I don’t think my son could have asked for a better bunch of friends.”