Bears, and cannons, and beers, oh my!
The University of Guelph has three popular traditions for its students: dressing the bear, painting the cannon, and the defense mug. While these may seem a little bit silly and make you feel like you’re in a cheesy college movie, they’re also fun. Traditions like these create lasting memories with already good friends or act as that special moment that turns classmates into lifelong friends. So maybe it’s okay to be a little silly and cheesy every so often in the name of fun.
Dressing the Bear
Created by Carl Skelton, the Canadiana/Begging Bear originally stood in Toronto in an area commonly used by homeless people.
In 1999, it was installed outside what is now the Art Gallery of Guelph, where it still stands today.
The Begging Bear statue has become something of an interactive art sculpture for the community as well as a Guelph icon.
Students and Guelphites wait until after sunset to dress up or decorate the bear. The Begging Bear can often be seen sporting different outfits and has become something of a fashionista (self-proclaimed, on the sculpture’s Twitter feed @TheBeggingBear).
In 2011, witnesses saw a group of men topple the statue and damage it. According to Judith Nasby, the director and curator of the centre at the time, the bear—which is posed with one arm outstretched—is meant to represent our native animals’ need for protection and our encroachment on the environment.
Fortunately, since it was too heavy to drag away, the sculpture was put back later that same year, and was reinforced so that such vandalism could not be repeated.
Painting The Cannon
The Cannon, also known as Old Jeremiah, rests at the heart of the University of Guelph campus. Rumoured to have seen battle in the War of 1812, students brought The Cannon to campus as a sign of remembrance after World War I.
The Cannon was moved around campus so much that it was cemented in place. Students made sure to move it one final time so that it aimed at the fourth floor of the University Centre (UC), which houses the University’s senior administration.
In the 1950s, a student painted a message on The Cannon, which led to the tradition of painting Old Jeremiah. Students stake out the area, guarding The Cannon, so they can be the ones to the paint it once the sun goes down. Other than that, the only rules are to not use profanity and to be done before students arrive on campus in the morning. Students who are painting The Cannon often make sure to guard it overnight so that others can’t come in and paint over their hard work before dawn.
Over the span of a week in 2011, artist and MFA grad Dawn Johnston removed the layers of paint that marked decades of happy moments. While some were upset with the removal of historical accumulation at the time, the restoration project did little to dampen enthusiasm. Since then, The Cannon has been painted and repainted again, just as it has been since the 1950s and will likely continue in this fashion well into the foreseeable future.
Follow The Cannon on Twitter @OldJeremiah.
The Defense Mug
The defense mug is a special bonus for graduate students at the University of Guelph.
Defend your thesis successfully and the Grad Student Lounge will give you a grad pint glass filled with a beer of your choice from whatever they have on tap—all you have to do is sign their book.
Aim to go on a Thursday to celebrate while enjoying trivia night with your friends at 7 p.m. The Grad Lounge is located on the fifth floor of the UC (take the elevators located closer to the food courts).
If you haven’t participated in any of these traditions yet, then plan a day to do them with your friends this year. If you’re not willing to stake out your spot all night for your day of glory then aim for a weekend that isn’t near a holiday.
When painting Old Jeremiah, please use nice colours. He no longer likes to clash.