University of Guelph club kicks off student orientation week with ‘Lettuce Games’

Students are getting a green welcome to the University of Guelph with ‘The Lettuce Games.’

Orientation week is in full swing at many post-secondary campuses but one club, at the University of Guelph, is hoping to gain new members from all walks of ‘leaf.’

The Lettuce Club, which hosts an annual lettuce eating competition, organized the tournament.

“We wanted to do a kind of Olympic-style mini-game,” said club president Kira Carter.

There were lettuce-themed games, including cornhole and bowling.

“Instead of musical chairs, it was a leaf of lettuce that you picked up from the ground,” Carter explained.

While there were no prizes for the winners, participants offered up some serious competition.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Quinton Mazarire, a first-year student from Zimbabwe. “I’ve always wanted to be a lettuce winner and I’m so happy.”

Carter hoped the event helped new students feel more comfortable on campus.

“Obviously the main thing that the university wants is for people, like students, to connect,” she said. “I think Lettuce Club is a big thing that allows for bonding… over lettuce.”

The excitement was high on U of G’s Johnston Green.

“I only came here a few days ago and the vibes are immaculate,” said first-year student Mark Metcalfe. “I mean, I am throwing lettuce at inflatable bowling pins. University is better than I thought it was going to be already.”

“It’s been so much fun,” added first-year student Dom Pecak. “It’s been great meeting all the lettuce people.”

For Jonathan Karri, another first-year student, lettuce was the event’s main attraction.

“Lettuce is my favourite vegetable. Lettuce is green, I love green. Green is my second-favourite colour,” he said. “Lettuce has water in it. I love water as well. I’m a water resources engineer.”

Other students said they saw the games as an opportunity to de-stress ahead of what they expect to be a busy school year.

“It just seems like crazy, no pressure fun stuff, where you get to meet people and play some games, I don’t think you would ever really have another chance to play,” said second-year student Justine Etherington.

For those who missed the Lettuce Games on Wednesday, Carter said the club wants to hold other events throughout the school year including, of course, another lettuce eating competition in March.