A man attempts to reach the flag during the Greasy Pole contest on Sunday, July 1, 2007.

St. Peter's Fiesta is a five-day festival honoring the patron saint of the fisherman, St. Peter. Hosted by the Italian American community of Gloucester, Massachusetts,[1] the festival involves a carnival, seine boat races, and the Greasy Pole contest, and attracts people from all over.

History

The festival began in 1927 when a life-sized statue of St. Peter was enshrined by fishermen in the heart of Gloucester's Italian district. The fishermen and their families began to pray to their patron saint, and soon plans for a religious procession on June 29 came about. They grew into the festival it is today.[1]

No festival was held from 1942–45, nor in 2020–21.

Greasy Pole contest

Steven Militello (in red circle) seen just before successfully grabbing the flag at the end of the Greasy Pole on Fiesta Saturday, June 24, 2023.[2]

The Greasy Pole is a three-day competition where people, commonly males, attempt to cross a 40-foot wooden piling that is extended horizontally 30 feet above the cold water of the harbor. The pole is covered in bacon fat, Crisco, fish guts, and lard from local restaurants, and each contestant must try to retrieve the red flag attached at the end. The winner is carried through the streets of Gloucester and can drink for free at each public house stop along the route.[3]

Concept

The Greasy Pole competition originated in Sicily in the 19th century or earlier, and was brought to Gloucester by the Italian immigrant population of fishermen in the early 20th century. The object is to walk across a greased pole protruding from a platform about 200 yards (180 m) from shore. This platform, depending on the tide, can be anywhere from 10–25 feet (3–8 m) above the water. The pole, which hangs over the water, is 45 feet (14 m) long, and only about as wide as a standard telephone pole. This pole is then heavily greased with biodegradable axle grease mixed with anything from Tabasco sauce to oil, banana peels, and various other slippery objects. A red flag (or sometimes the Italian Flag with a red flag underneath it) is then nailed to the very end of the pole. The idea is to run out on the heavily greased pole and try to grab the flag before slipping and falling into the water. About 40 or 50 people between ages 18–60 go out from Pavilion Beach in Gloucester MA during the St. Peter Fiesta, the last weekend of June. They walk the pole one at a time in a pre-determined order. Generally, these are males of Italian descent, although the walkers may include all nationalities. Because of the popularity of the event, there are strict rules as to who is eligible to walk on Sunday. The event is currently held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 4:45 p.m.

Rules

The first round of the Greasy Pole is dubbed as the "Courtesy Round." This is done so that all the walkers get a chance to walk the pole. Generally, this is used to get a feel for exactly how greasy the pole is. Some of the more experienced walkers only walk out a small distance and then dive off the pole into the water to save themselves from injury. Once all the walkers participating have walked, the second round begins. After the courtesy round is over, the flag can come down at any time. There are three days in which the Greasy Pole is competed:

Crowd watching the Greasy Pole from Pavilion Beach on Fiesta Sunday, 2007.

Fiesta Friday Most of the newcomers to the Greasy Pole event walk on Friday. The winner of the Friday Greasy Pole will walk first on Saturday.

Fiesta Saturday People who began walking before Greasy Pole Friday was implemented in 1999 or people who have won on Greasy Pole Friday walk on Saturday. The winner of Saturday then will walk first on Sunday.

Fiesta Sunday Also referred to as Championship Sunday. The winner of Saturday walks first, and on the platform are the former Saturday and Sunday champions of the Greasy Pole from years past and protégés of the former champions who can no longer walk because they have died or can no longer walk for health reasons. Winning on Fiesta Sunday is the most prestigious honor that a Greasy Pole walker can achieve, and every year they return to walk on Fiesta Sunday.

Awards

Generally speaking, the Greasy Pole is done for bragging rights. A trophy is given out to the winner, but in the close knit town of Gloucester where everyone knows each other, this is done for the right to say "I won." (free drinks all night at all the bars)

Dangers

This is obviously a very risky event. Walking through an almost frictionless environment anywhere from 10–25 feet (3–8 m) over water on a very narrow pole can be dangerous. Several injuries, most of them minor, can and have occurred. These injuries can range from scrapes and bruises to broken facial bones or ribs from falling and landing on the pole. Police boats are nearby to assist if someone is seriously injured and needs to be taken to the hospital.

Trivia
  • The first winner of the Greasy Pole was Natale Misuraca. He died in 2011, and the new pole structure has a shrine to him at the point of departure for all walkers.
  • The record for most Greasy Pole wins belongs to Salvi Benson (10): 4 Saturdays, 6 Sundays.
  • Peter "Black" Frontiero won 7 straight Sunday contests between 1987–1993. Most Sunday wins, 9 over all and all on Super Sunday.
  • Only 2 men have won all 3 days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Jake Wood was the first in 1999 (6th round Friday, 3rd Sat, 2nd Sun). Jake started walking in 1998 he now has a total of 7 wins . The Friday Greasy Pole was implemented, 1999. In 2019 Derek Hopkins became the second man to win all 3 days taking the flag down in the 2nd round all 3 days in his first year of eligibility, 20 years after Jake Wood accomplished the first trifecta.
  • Anthony "Matza" Giambanco is known as the "Sheriff of the Greasy Pole." 6 time champ. "Matza" famously walked and slid to the end of the pole, where he stood for a few seconds in triumph before jumping into the water with flag in hand.
  • In 1979, one man grabbed the flag in the first round, breaking the Courtesy Round rule. Unfortunately, he incurred the wrath of Anthony "Matza" Giambanco. He promptly punched the man, nailed the flag to the pole, and the competition continued.
  • Peter "Black" Frontiero is the only walker in the history of the competition to win in three different decades (1980s, 1990s and 2000s) and with three different announcers (Mike Deliberti, Big Tom Brancleone, and Sammy "Samutzu" Nicastro.
  • Joseph "JoeyD" DaSilva is the first walker to ever win on sea and land ("the surf and turf champion") with his two wins (Friday Fiesta 2011 and Fall Classic Saturday 2011).
  • For the 75th anniversary, in a big surprise to everyone, the announcer at the time (Sam Nicastro) was joined by his predecessors Big Tom Brancleone and Mike Dileberti for the announcing duties.
  • Joseph "JoeyD" DaSilva holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest time to cross a 42-foot-long (13 m) pole at 4.96 seconds. He set the record on the set of "Guinness World Records Gone Wild" in Los Angeles, California July 6, 2012.
  • The Greasy Pole was washed away, along with the platform that supported it, by a storm on September 30, 2011.[4] As of March, 2012, it was being rebuilt and was expected to be ready for the 2012 event.[5][6]
Past Winners

1931 to 1998 (Before Friday Competition):

YearSaturday WinnerSunday Winner
1931Natale "Nat" MisuracaOritan Vincenzo
1932Oritan VincenzoOritan Vincenzo
1933Geronimo ParisiGeronimo Parisi
1934Jimmy SinagraDominic Grillo
1935Natale "Nat" MisuracaNot held
1936No RecordNot held
1937No RecordNot held
1938Jerome LoicanoNot held
1939Jerome LoicanoSalvatore Randazza
1940UnknownUnknown
1941Joe MarinoJoe Marino
1942Jerome LoicanoJoseph Frontiero
1943Joseph VergaPeter Mione
1944Joseph ArgussoLouie Linquata
1950John RandazzaJerome Liocano
1951Gino BiondoLouio Linquata
1952Joseph ArgrussoRained Out
1953Tommy MisuracaTommy Misuraca
1954Johny QuinceTommy Misuraca
1955Beanie NicastroBeanie Nicastro
1956Carlo "Sleppy" PallazollaCarlo "Sleppy" Pallazolla
1957UnknownUnknown
1958John FrontieroMike Calomo
1959Frank CataniaPhil Curcuru
1960Phil CurcuruFrank Benson
1961Not heldNot held
1962Not heldNot held
1963Phil CucuruPhil Cucuru
1964Salvatore TestaverdeJoe "Black" Frontiero
1965Phil Parisi & Phil CucuruPhil Cucuru & "Uncle" Salvatore Russo
1966Tom "Wolfman" CavanaughTom "Wolfman" Cavanaugh
1967Salvi BensonVito Calamo
1968Salvi BensonSalvi Benson
1969Salvi BensonGaetano Carini
1970Gaetano CariniPat Palmisano
1971Salvi BensonSalvi Benson
1972Tom "Wolfman" CavanaughSalvi Benson
1973Tom "Wolfman" CavanaughSalvi Benson
1974Tom "Wolfman" CavanaughSalvi Benson
1975Anthony "Matza" GiambancoAnthony "Matza" Giambanco
1976Gaetano CariniBenny Interante
1977Billy MumbrunoAnthony "Matza" Giambanco
1978Bobbi "Brother" AgostintAnthony "Matza" Giambanco
1979Joe PalmisanoSalvi Benson
1980Paul BertoliniAnthony "Matza" Giambanco
1981Jerry SantuccioDom Verga
1982Steve "Stubby" AsaroDom Verga
1983Phil VergaJerry Santuccio
1984Paul NicastroPeter "Black" Frontiero
1985Tom FavazzaDom Verga
1986Jerry CiolinoScott Clayton
1987Sam FrontieroPeter "Black" Frontiero
1988Anthony SaputoPeter "Black" Frontiero
1989Russell HinesPeter "Black" Frontiero
1990Johnny CorolloPeter "Black" Frontiero
1991Jerry CusamanoPeter "Black" Frontiero
1992Nico BrancaleonePeter "Black" Frontiero
1993Steve LaBlancPeter "Black" Frontiero
1994Dave FooteSteve LaBlanc
1995Steve GrayChris Carlson
1996John "Glass" ParisiRich Hopkins
1997Shawn PorperRich Hopkins
1998Jason PuglisiNino Sanfillippo

1999 to Current (Friday Competition Introduced)

YearFriday WinnerSaturday WinnerSunday Winner
1999Jake WoodJake WoodJake Wood
2000Dean DeCosteJude LaFavourSammo Frontiero
2001Phil PalmatieriJames SanfillipoJohn "Glass" Parisi
2002Sandi PalazzoloDean DeCosteJake Wood
2003Steve MilitelloSandy PalazzoloJake Wood
2004Stew McGillivrayStew McGillivrayPeter "Black" Frontiero
2005Vinny ParisiJimmy SilvaJake Wood
2006Danny Balbo Jr.Vinny ParisiJake Wood
2007Louis PerryJoe SanfillippoRussell Hines
2008Steve WilliamsonJohn ChurchStew McGillivray
2009Jason FavaloroJoe StellineStew McGillivray
2010Joe Brancaleone Jr.Peter CannavoStew McGillivray
2011Joseph "JoeyD" DaSilvaKraig HillAli D'Angelo
2012Ross "Cliffy" CarlsonNicky AvelisStew McGillivray
2013Kyle BarryZack AllenNicky Avelis
2014Jack RussKyle BarryMark Allen
2015Lenny TaorminaJoseph DaSilvaJake Wagner
2016Michael SanfilippoLenny TaorminaKyle Barry
2017Randy SweetRandy SweetJake Wagner
2018Frank TaorminaMichael SanfilippoRandy Sweet
2019Derek HopkinsDerek HopkinsDerek Hopkins
2020Not heldNot heldNot held
2021Not heldNot heldNot held
2022Leo CannavoAnthony NovelloDerek Hopkins
2023Colin SweetSteve MilitelloDerek Hopkins

[7]

The 2011 Greasy Pole Fall Classic

To help raise some of the money needed to replace the greasy pole platform that was damaged by tropical storm Irene, the Saint Peter's Fiesta Committee hosted the 2011 Greasy Pole Fall Classic at Gloucester High School's Newell Stadium. The competition featured three greasy poles, designated bronze, silver, and gold. This was expected to be the only Fall Classic, as the Greasy Pole is to be replaced with a platform that will last a century. The two time champ Joe DaSilva is the first person to ever win on sea and land, which earned him the nickname "Surf and Turf Champion." In 2012 Nick Avelis won Saturday's pole, and in 2013 Kyle Barry won Friday's pole, making all three "turf" champions "surf" champions as well (Avelis also won 2013 Sunday).[8]

YearRoundWinner
2011BronzeKyle Barry
2011SilverNick Avelis
2011GoldJoe "JoeyD" DaSilva

In film

In 2009, CoffeeBlack Productions — the Gloucester filmmaking team of Emile Doucette, Thomas Papows, and Michael Pallazola – created a short 7-minute documentary about the Greasy Pole and its cultural significance in the small fishing community of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The film won the Documentary Educational Resources Award at the International Documentary Challenge at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival.[9] The group has plans to make a feature-length version of the film due out in 2010.

WBZ-TV released an hourlong documentary about the Greasy Pole in 2023, entitled Love and Grease.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 "History of St. Peter's". www.stpetersfiesta.org. 2003. Retrieved 2018-07-01.
  2. 2023 Saturday Greasy Pole. Good Morning Gloucester. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  3. Baker, Billy (2017-07-02). "GREASE and GLORY". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2017-07-03.
  4. Byrne, Matt (1 October 2011). "Gloucester icon slips into history". boston.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-27. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  5. Kaufman, Alexander C. (8 October 2011). "Gloucester to rebuild greasy pole". boston.com. Archived from the original on 2011-12-12. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  6. Fletcher, Steven (17 March 2012). "Greasy Pole dock, platform rebuilt". Gloucester Times. Archived from the original on 2012-06-12. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  7. "Past Greasy Pole Winners". www.stpetersfiesta.org. 2003.
  8. Staff, Times. "Greasy Pole Fall Classic proves to be a hit".
  9. Allen, Quinn (2009-05-14). "Trio brings home international prize » Local News » GloucesterTimes.com, Gloucester, MA". Gloucestertimes.com. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
  10. Documentary "Love and Grease" highlights history of Greasy Pole competition. Yahoo News. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.

42°36′40″N 70°39′54″W / 42.611°N 70.665°W / 42.611; -70.665

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