4th Annual · Rochester, NY

We’re baaaaack.

October 2–4, 2026
Three days. Pickleball, BBQ, and Bills.

Pickleball, BBQ, Bills, and maybe even some magic.

Register for the weekendDonate to the Scholarship
John Boyd laughing in golden evening light on a beach, wearing sunglasses

John Conway Boyd

The 2026 goal

The fund is real. Now we make it bigger.

You built a perpetual scholarship in John’s name, and it has already made its first award. Getting the fund to $50,000 is what changes how much it can give — every year, forever.

$34K$50K

68% — the fund stands at $33,897.24 of a $50,000 goal

  • A bigger check every single year — the more the fund holds, the more it pays out, forever
  • Room to expand our giving to other organizations in John's name

Our first scholarship winner

This is what you built.

2026 John Boyd Scholar

Maria Shinina

Heading to the University of Rochester

  • Co-Editor in Chief of The Trapezoid
  • Teen Institute
  • Varsity Track & Field

Maria is a Brighton High School graduate who doesn’t do anything halfway. You got this fund past the $25,000 mark that makes it permanent, and it has already made its first award. The first of many.

October 2–4, 2026

The weekend

Three days. Everybody's welcome — bring somebody with you.

Friday, Oct 2 · 7:00 PM to bedtime

Euchre Pre-Party

Cards, trash talk, and an early start on the weekend.

the Sparers' house

Saturday, Oct 3 · 12:30 – 4:00 PM

Pickleball Invitational

All skill levels welcome—play, or just come hang out and cheer.

Dinkers, East Rochester

Then — BBQ Feast · 6:00 – 9:30 PM

Post-tourney BBQ, drinks, good company, and we break down the game and crown the MVP.

the Basus'

And then — After-Party at Strangebird · 9:30 PM – close

Cash bar, great people, and nostalgic conversation that runs later than anyone planned.

Strangebird Brewery

Sunday, Oct 4 · 1:00 PM kickoff

Bills vs. Patriots

Bills Mafia, flying pigskin, breaking tables—Go Bills!

the new Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY

Beforehand — Bills Pre-Game Tailgate

We tailgate before kickoff — it's a separate spot on the sign-up page.

Sign up for as much or as little as you want — one event, all three days, or just the BBQ.

Registration is OPEN. Pickleball, the Dino BBQ, merch, and court sponsorships are all on one page.

Sign me up

Six players in yellow Be Like John Boyd shirts holding trophies in front of a banner of John laughing
Hardcore competition. Awards and trophies. Do you have what it takes?

Last year

This is what it looks like.

Eighty-odd people, a lot of trophies, and one very loud BBQ. Everybody's photos from the last three years, in one place — and it's open, so add yours.

The full Be Like John Boyd field gathered together on the pickleball courts
Three players mid-rally on the courts at Dinkers, the ball in the air over the net
Two players greeting each other with a bear hug beside the courts
The Be Like John Boyd crew in Bills gear at the stadium tailgate
The whole Be Like John Boyd field piled around the couches in front of the banner of John laughing, one player stretched out on the floor in an orange suit
Six friends crowded into one selfie, beers up, at the after-party
Guests lined up under the catering tent in the driveway at the BBQ
Two friends in Bills gear posing in front of the banner of John laughing
Players hoisting trophies in front of the Be Like John Boyd banner
Five players posing together in front of the Be Like John Boyd banner
Two friends laughing together at the post-tournament gathering
Friends together outside on a warm evening during the weekend
Tournament winners with their trophy in front of the banner

See them all & add yours

Close-up portrait of John Boyd

Who we’re doing this for

John Conway Boyd

“A compassionate revolutionist.”The man, the myth, the legend

John taught English in the Far East and financed small businesses in developing countries. He led with indiscriminate love and support, and he made everyone around him feel like the most interesting person in the room.

The scholarship carries his name forward, one Brighton grad at a time. So be like John and connect. Bring someone.

THE POWER OF CONNECTIONS

Official Beer of Be Like John Boyd

Our good friends at Strangebird have been so generous over the years, and they're a big reason this is always such a delicious event. Huge thanks for the generosity — and for the ridiculously good beer.

Strangebird · Rochester, NY →