On Saturday, March 5, 2005, the Durham Bulls announced the first-ever team garage sale raised an astonishing $2,247 for Duke Childrens’ Hospital and the Durham Bulls Youth Athletic League. The main event of the Bulls’ 2005 Fanfest, the garage sale was by all accounts a success.
“We were stunned,” Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said, “People were lined up around the block to get in here when we opened at nine ( 9:00 AM) and they kept coming all day long.”
Hundreds of people gathered outside the main gates of the ballpark, some as early as 7:45 AM, for a chance to purchase a piece of Bulls’ history. Though the day saw periods of rain and cold, the crowd remained undeterred as several fans purchased arm loads of items ranging from old ballpark signage to promotional t-shirts.
“All of the big signs were gone within the first hour,” Birling continued, “people we’re carrying out arm loads of memorabilia and old promotional items. It was a really fun day.”
The sale was one of several things happening at the ballpark on Saturday. Young fans got a chance to play with Wool E. Bull and Stormy from the Carolina Hurricanes, get balloon animals from Clown Willie, and test their arms at the speed pitch machine. Saturday was also the annual “First day of ticket sales” at the park, so tickets to all April, May and June games are on sale now at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office, by phone at (919) 956-BULL or online at www.durhambulls.com.
Thanks to the DBBC’s Matt DeMargel for this capcom story.
