Brier 2016: The many traditions
After nearly 90 years, this tournament is still a fan favourite
The first Brier was in 1927, way back before you could even watch curling on your phone, but there are a few traditions that have stood the test of time.
Curling fans from far and wide gather for this long-standing event and boy did they ever show up in Ottawa.
👍👍to Ottawa. What a great crowd. Way to show out curling and sports fans in the Capital city this week. What a show! <a href="https://t.co/olgSUn48W7">pic.twitter.com/olgSUn48W7</a>
—@TeamCanadaCurlWhen fans aren't enthralled by the action within the arena, they make their way over to the The Patch where the party is bumpin'. Where better than to have a beer and meet some of your favourite athletes?
Up Close & Personal with Glenn Howard, Rich Hart, Kevin Koe, Marc Kennedy and Brent Laing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2016?src=hash">#Brier2016</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/curling?src=hash">#curling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Patch?src=hash">#Patch</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ue40EkhaO5">pic.twitter.com/Ue40EkhaO5</a>
—@CurlingCanadaLast day at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2016?src=hash">#Brier2016</a> . Play on our tables in The Patch - order one up. FREE SHIPPING IN CANADA! Bring the flyer! <a href="https://t.co/CWAAgDpJOn">pic.twitter.com/CWAAgDpJOn</a>
—@paulpmoriCelebrating a birthday and the entire brier experience <a href="https://twitter.com/CurlingCanada">@CurlingCanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrierSpirit?src=hash">#BrierSpirit</a> <a href="https://t.co/B4dYSZbhSe">pic.twitter.com/B4dYSZbhSe</a>
—@Gritsy8Now-a-days most sporting events have mascots, but Brier Bear, Reg Caughie, has been around for over 30 years!
Brier Bear! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PatchSpirit?src=hash">#PatchSpirit</a> <a href="https://t.co/dWM6M17hAr">pic.twitter.com/dWM6M17hAr</a>
—@minnesotamitchMeet the man in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier?src=hash">#Brier</a> bear suit, and quick, because he might be close to retirement <a href="https://t.co/ZFqTMc2ABH">https://t.co/ZFqTMc2ABH</a> <a href="https://t.co/S8M6dA4AG7">pic.twitter.com/S8M6dA4AG7</a>
—@cbcsportsMuch like the Olympics, the Brier has a tradition of pin trading. A big part of that tradition is pin trader Curly Walz, who has attended over 40 Brier tournaments.
Trading pins is a long standing tradition at the Brier. As is Curly. <a href="https://t.co/5J0CjvrbWI">pic.twitter.com/5J0CjvrbWI</a>
—@cbcsportsFans come from all over the country dressed in their "traditional" provincial garb to represent in full force.
Who are you cheering for tonight: Team Northern Ontario or Team Newfoundland/Labrador? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2016?src=hash">#Brier2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/3Ymx2Z4hmt">pic.twitter.com/3Ymx2Z4hmt</a>
—@CurlingCanadaBluenosers out in force already! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2016?src=hash">#Brier2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/O5Rm7N2s3O">pic.twitter.com/O5Rm7N2s3O</a>
—@seaner00Gotta love the enthusiastic P.E.I. fans! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnsonofGreenGables?src=hash">#AnsonofGreenGables</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2016?src=hash">#Brier2016</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/peicurling">@peicurling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/teamadamcasey">@teamadamcasey</a> <a href="https://t.co/Nhd0ElapVg">pic.twitter.com/Nhd0ElapVg</a>
—@CurlingCanadaSome just participate for the fun of it…
We're here!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2016?src=hash">#Brier2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/rmvOXRiky0">pic.twitter.com/rmvOXRiky0</a>
—@SociableBrier…while others take the theme very seriously.
<a href="https://twitter.com/CurlingCanada">@CurlingCanada</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BrierSpirit?src=hash">#BrierSpirit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PatchSpirit?src=hash">#PatchSpirit</a> What a great week so far!!! <a href="https://t.co/xrJrYM5Hnd">pic.twitter.com/xrJrYM5Hnd</a>
—@ChrisLamEJNorthern Ontario fans believe in true commitment #FearTheBeard
<a href="https://twitter.com/curlercups">@curlercups</a> we're still with you. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICC?src=hash">#ICC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/clubhouse?src=hash">#clubhouse</a> #👊 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2016?src=hash">#Brier2016</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fearthebeard?src=hash">#fearthebeard</a> #🔥HOTROCKS🔥 <a href="https://t.co/ZgTqu7pX6s">pic.twitter.com/ZgTqu7pX6s</a>
—@HotRocksCurlingEven P.E.I. skip Adam Casey gets into the fashion game.
Little discussed topic this week at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2016?src=hash">#Brier2016</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/adamacasey">@adamacasey</a> 's sock game <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/awesomesocks?src=hash">#awesomesocks</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thebest?src=hash">#thebest</a>
—@LilMissHockey19Suggestion for Adam "fancy socks" Casey. Go with RED tonight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LuckyRed?src=hash">#LuckyRed</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/teamadamcasey">@teamadamcasey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TSNCurling">@TSNCurling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CurlingCanada">@CurlingCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Cm8U7dOs8">pic.twitter.com/6Cm8U7dOs8</a>
—@ArmpitAnnePeiAt the end of the day, nothing beats the excitement of good ol' fashioned curling and the Brier did not disappoint.
Very impressed w/ the quality of the draws at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Brier2016?src=hash">#Brier2016</a> this week. Last night's semi win came down to a measurement <a href="https://t.co/UspQxrjpqk">pic.twitter.com/UspQxrjpqk</a>
—@msconductWhat's your favourite Brier tradition? Let us know in our poll.