This article is a feature article for a newspaper about the St. Peters Fiesta tradition of the Greasy Pole in Gloucester Massachusetts.
The Journey to the End of the Pole
Two hundred feet from shore a group of slightly inebriated men dressed in costumes varying from the Hulk to Tiffany the Stripper make their way up the famous Greasy Pole. In Gloucester, Massachusetts every year on the last weekend in June during the celebration of St. Peter’s Fiesta these men try to prove themselves worthy of walking the pole. As one of Gloucester oldest traditions, the St. Peters Fiesta started out as a community coming together to pray for their family member’s upcoming fishing season. It has since become a five day event filled with various types of dory races, a Fiesta 5k, religious events, youth and adult soccer games, blessing of the fleet, the Sunday parade, and of course The Greasy Pole.
Thousands of people watching from Pavilion Beach, The Boulevard, and the boats in the harbor can hear the men scream “Viva St Pedro” as they prepare to walk across the forty five foot telephone pole to capture the flag. There are only two things standing in their way: the thick layer of grease lathered upon the entire pole and the twenty five foot drop to the water below. There is also the fact that the other 25-30 men are trying their best to get to the end of the pole.
This unique sport has only one real rule that is expected to be followed to the letter. This one rule that rules the entire competition is the One Round Rule. The One Round Rule is embedded into the DNA of the contestants but also Greasy Pole enthusiasts. To make the event fair to all contestants, and Greasy Pole hopefuls, NO ONE is allowed to capture the flag during the first round of the competition better known as the curtsey round. Even if you are able to make it to the end of the pole during the first round your SOL. “If a contestant is dense enough to take the flag down on the first round,” says Erica Mitchell whose whole family celebrates St. Peters Fiesta and whose brother competes in the dory races, “ not only will they have to face the rest of the contestants but they will also have to face the Fiesta Committee who will strip him of the flag and nail it back up to the end of the pole to continue the event.” Erica goes on to say “someone did take the flag down on the first round in 1979. It did not go to well for him, he got his ass handed to him and was stripped of the flag.” After the first round is over and everyone has gone once the event is officially underway. Although there is no rule that states women may not walk the pole there have been no women winners. There is also no rule stating that you must be Italian to compete although some argue it will help your chances on winning.
The Greasy Pole Contest is one of the biggest events during the St. Peters Fiesta and is held on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the Fiesta each day having a set requirement for their participants. On the Friday and Saturday afternoon of the Fiesta the only Greasy Pole contestants who are allowed to walk are the lucky few who were picked out of a lottery of Greasy Pole hopefuls. The winner from Friday afternoon has the option of walking again on Saturday afternoon. The winner from Saturday afternoon has the option of walking again on Sunday afternoon. The Greasy Pole competition held on Sunday is the most competitive day of the three events. The Sunday competition is held for any man who previously won, the winner of the previous night, and the protégés who walk for former champions. The Friday and Saturday events are known to last around three to four rounds where the Sunday event is rarely seen to go into three rounds.
When walking the pole there are two strategies Greasy Pole hopefuls apply to get them down to the flag; unfortunately and in many cases their attempts are unsuccessful and they end up falling in a variety of creative ways. Denise Pascucci who has celebrated St. Peters fiesta since she was born and thinks that it is her Italian Christmas believes there are three strategies that these men apply to their hopeful win. The first strategy Denise says “is the sideways walk, which means that they turn sideways instead of going head on and run/slide down then pole. This strategy is very successful. The second method is the run/slide/slip as fast as you can down the pole in hopes of making it there before you fall on your face. This method is equally known to be successful.” As far as strategies go both are going to be equally successful, the only thing to be aware of is the fall. When falling from the Greasy Pole, depending on high tide and low tide it can be a like falling on ice or jumping into a pool.
Thousands of people watching from Pavilion Beach, The Boulevard, and the boats in the harbor can hear the men scream “Viva St Pedro” as they prepare to walk across the forty five foot telephone pole to capture the flag. There are only two things standing in their way: the thick layer of grease lathered upon the entire pole and the twenty five foot drop to the water below. There is also the fact that the other 25-30 men are trying their best to get to the end of the pole.
This unique sport has only one real rule that is expected to be followed to the letter. This one rule that rules the entire competition is the One Round Rule. The One Round Rule is embedded into the DNA of the contestants but also Greasy Pole enthusiasts. To make the event fair to all contestants, and Greasy Pole hopefuls, NO ONE is allowed to capture the flag during the first round of the competition better known as the curtsey round. Even if you are able to make it to the end of the pole during the first round your SOL. “If a contestant is dense enough to take the flag down on the first round,” says Erica Mitchell whose whole family celebrates St. Peters Fiesta and whose brother competes in the dory races, “ not only will they have to face the rest of the contestants but they will also have to face the Fiesta Committee who will strip him of the flag and nail it back up to the end of the pole to continue the event.” Erica goes on to say “someone did take the flag down on the first round in 1979. It did not go to well for him, he got his ass handed to him and was stripped of the flag.” After the first round is over and everyone has gone once the event is officially underway. Although there is no rule that states women may not walk the pole there have been no women winners. There is also no rule stating that you must be Italian to compete although some argue it will help your chances on winning.
The Greasy Pole Contest is one of the biggest events during the St. Peters Fiesta and is held on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the Fiesta each day having a set requirement for their participants. On the Friday and Saturday afternoon of the Fiesta the only Greasy Pole contestants who are allowed to walk are the lucky few who were picked out of a lottery of Greasy Pole hopefuls. The winner from Friday afternoon has the option of walking again on Saturday afternoon. The winner from Saturday afternoon has the option of walking again on Sunday afternoon. The Greasy Pole competition held on Sunday is the most competitive day of the three events. The Sunday competition is held for any man who previously won, the winner of the previous night, and the protégés who walk for former champions. The Friday and Saturday events are known to last around three to four rounds where the Sunday event is rarely seen to go into three rounds.
When walking the pole there are two strategies Greasy Pole hopefuls apply to get them down to the flag; unfortunately and in many cases their attempts are unsuccessful and they end up falling in a variety of creative ways. Denise Pascucci who has celebrated St. Peters fiesta since she was born and thinks that it is her Italian Christmas believes there are three strategies that these men apply to their hopeful win. The first strategy Denise says “is the sideways walk, which means that they turn sideways instead of going head on and run/slide down then pole. This strategy is very successful. The second method is the run/slide/slip as fast as you can down the pole in hopes of making it there before you fall on your face. This method is equally known to be successful.” As far as strategies go both are going to be equally successful, the only thing to be aware of is the fall. When falling from the Greasy Pole, depending on high tide and low tide it can be a like falling on ice or jumping into a pool.
Although to outsiders the Greasy Pole may seem hilarious and idiotic but to the participants, their families, and the citizens of Gloucester it is so much more. Michelle Goulart who is married to Stephen Goulart, a long time walker, moved to Gloucester when she was seven and celebrated St. Peters Fiesta on the outside until she meet Stephen. Stephen grew up celebrating St. Peters Fiesta as a true Italian holiday. After years of walking Michelle has ask him why he continues to walk and take the risk of injury his reply “it’s a tradition and an honor to walk under my great uncles name and I have made some really good friends walking.” Together they have four year old twins, Bella and Chase. When asked if she would support Chase if he chose to walk her reply was that “as of right now I like to think I would be supportive but I am not sure how I would feel when that day comes. The days leading up to when Stephen walks the pole I am not really worried but I always get nervous when he is actually up there. He always seems to fall the worst ways. So watching my son walk would probably be a lot harder but in the end it will be up to him.”
The Greasy Pole in Gloucester is very much a city sport and with that come record holders. Michael Goulart, Denise’s brother is somewhat of a know it all when it comes to who accomplished what. He says that “the first ever greasy pole in Gloucester took place in 1931 and was won by Nat Misuraca. Gloucester native Salvi Benson holds the all-time record for Greasy Pole wins with 11 wins. Gloucester native Peter Frontiero did the unbelievable when he won seven straight Sunday contests from 1987 to 1993. To these men the Greasy Pole is not just a competition to win it is a honor and privilege to walk.” Michael just likes watching and has never walked the pole in his life.
In Gloucester Massachusetts the Greasy Pole is a time honored tradition attracting men who want to carry on the titles their ancestors have claimed and make a name for themselves. In the summer of 2011 Hurricane Irene traveled up the coast hitting Gloucester Harbor. Although there was little damage done to the city the Greasy Pole took a hit. In the fall another strong storm passed through completely damaging the Greasy Pole. The city and St. Peters fiesta came together with fundraisers and determination to build the Greasy Pole back up to its former glory. This construction is said to be complete by June 2012 just in time for the festivities of Fiesta 2012 to begin.
The Greasy Pole in Gloucester is very much a city sport and with that come record holders. Michael Goulart, Denise’s brother is somewhat of a know it all when it comes to who accomplished what. He says that “the first ever greasy pole in Gloucester took place in 1931 and was won by Nat Misuraca. Gloucester native Salvi Benson holds the all-time record for Greasy Pole wins with 11 wins. Gloucester native Peter Frontiero did the unbelievable when he won seven straight Sunday contests from 1987 to 1993. To these men the Greasy Pole is not just a competition to win it is a honor and privilege to walk.” Michael just likes watching and has never walked the pole in his life.
In Gloucester Massachusetts the Greasy Pole is a time honored tradition attracting men who want to carry on the titles their ancestors have claimed and make a name for themselves. In the summer of 2011 Hurricane Irene traveled up the coast hitting Gloucester Harbor. Although there was little damage done to the city the Greasy Pole took a hit. In the fall another strong storm passed through completely damaging the Greasy Pole. The city and St. Peters fiesta came together with fundraisers and determination to build the Greasy Pole back up to its former glory. This construction is said to be complete by June 2012 just in time for the festivities of Fiesta 2012 to begin.