Greased pole climbing contest winners. The men dress in outlandish costumes and try to be the first to grab a flag at the end of a very slippery pole. It takes place 200 feet off Pavilion Beach. Jun 27, 2025 · There’s more to St. Apr 28, 2023 · The Italian Market Festival is returning to Ninth Street in South Philadelphia on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 with a musical tribute to Jerry Blavat, a greased pole climbing competition Live coverage of the 2024 St. 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. Peter. Rocco's Italian Festival, it took 40 minutes for a team of five guys to climb the greasy pole and be called winners of the contest. Jul 14, 2012 · The greased pole climbing contest, which has its finals at 10 p. Jun 24, 2023 · Watch: Bloopers from this year's Greasy Pole contest in Gloucester WCVB Channel 5 Boston 308K subscribers 89 Jun 29, 2018 · The winner of the Greasy Pole Contest says he just completed his lifelong dream. It is also similar to the ‘Pinang’ game of Java, Indonesia. Peter’s Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts, on June 23, 2023. Sep 18, 2022 · Congratulations to our greased pole climbing contest and potato dance winners! The pole is "greased" with something to make it slippery and 'teams' try to climb up it, climbing over each other and of course falling off. “The prizes are nice, but no one’s really climbing for the mozzarella. Jun 23, 2023 · Gloucester's Greasy Pole contest usually takes two to four rounds for someone to win, but sometimes it can go as long as six or seven rounds. Jun 23, 2023 · Part of Gloucester’s St. A homeless man takes home all the cash in an old-fashioned greased pole contest. Another year in the books! Here is only a small sample of the greasy pole events held around the world: Il-ġostra — In Malta, a greased pole is placed over the harbor at an angle. The aim of the game is to run to the end of the pole and grab a flag. Here's how you Il-ġostra — In Malta, a greased pole is placed over the harbor at an angle. A red flag is nailed to a stick at the end of the pole which is then heavily greased. St. At the St. Jun 24, 2023 · The weekend of competition during St. One-by-one brave soles compete and run across the grease-covered pole trying to capture a Men competing in greased pole climbing contest at 9th Street Italian Market Festival. They observed many logging events including a Grease Pole Climb. Gloucester, Massachusetts Contestants clamber up a greasy pole as the traditional Gostra Festival pole climbing competition takes place in St. The pie-eating contest from 6 to 8 p. Jun 25, 2023 · Contestants run up a greasy 45-foot (13. Feb 7, 2025 · Forever tied to the greatest moment in Philadelphia sports history, pole climbing enshrined itself in the city’s culture and “grease the poles” became a rallying cry uttered whenever a Philly team nears a championship. July 28, always brings out the best and the funniest in people. July 27 at the Curtis Pavilion promises to be fun and Greasy pole, grease pole, or greased pole refers to a tall pole that has been made slippery with grease or other lubricants and thus difficult to grip. Thanks for a great show walkers! Here are some memories I'd like to share. Jun 27, 2022 · Watch: Gloucester’s greasy pole contest looks as painful as ever After a pandemic hiatus, some brave souls returned to tackle the North Shore's favorite slippery protuberance. Participants attempt to cross a horizontal wooden pole in the middle of Gloucester Harbor to grab an Italian flag at the Aug 7, 2019 · One hundred fun games and booths for your players to explore at the local faire. Winners do also receive a trophy. May 6, 2025 · The festival is also home to the greased-pole-climbing competition (you read that right), where teams of festivalgoers attempt to climb a super slippery, 30-foot-tall pole to retrieve prizes like meats, cheeses and other goodies. Rocco's Italian Festival 3205 Fulton Rd. m. Max Allen came away with the Friday flagpole. Videos of contestants attempting to scamper across a slippery 45-foot telephone pole that juts out over Jun 27, 2025 · There’s more to St. Peter’s Fiesta. The real heroes of the night might be the guys who dug up some extra nails (brought in from shore) and replaced the pole in time for Jo Jo Klyce to take it a few walkers later. Youth Pole Cross - 11 AM / Adult Grease Pole Climb - 1PM The Jordan Fall Festival Grease Pole Climb has been an event tradition since the 1990s. The pole is 30 feet high, greased with lard, and you will find it at the 9th & Montrose Piazza! Aug 3, 2015 · The Greasy Pole at Saint Peter's Fiesta In Gloucester, Massachussets, fishermen celebrate a successful year at sea by charging a lubed pole to capture an Italian flag. More specifically, it is the name of several events that involve staying on, climbing up, walking over or otherwise traversing such a pole. Oct 27, 2023 · Greasy pole, grease pole, or greased pole refers to a tall pole that has been made slippery with grease or other lubricants and thus difficult to grip. The competition dates back to 1927. be/ng10FQo5kjE Feb 1, 2018 · The contest resurrects an old Italian tradition, called albero della cuccagna, in which climbers scale a slick pole to reach prizes — including cash, cheese, and cured meats — at the top. Here, twelve man crews prove strength and stamina by rowing against each other in old seine boats in a grueling mile long race. Prizes for the homegrown contest include meats, cheeses and money. Peter's Fiesta Greasy Pole Contest & Seine Boat Races from Pavilion Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts with Bridge Cape Ann hos Jul 29, 2024 · The greased pole competition at Spruce Street Harbor Park featured 100 contestants, lots of hilarious fails, and an eventual champion. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts USA. Jul 26, 2024 · Pole position. peters_dimapur on May 22, 2025: "Naga Greased pole climbing competition and the winner #knowyourculture". The flag has been snatched for another year of a decade's long tradition in a town with grease in its blood. The history and characters behind Gloucester's greasy pole competition. Jun 30, 2025 · Weather conditions made this year's greasy pole contest unique for participants and spectators alike. 9/7/09. Jun 20, 2022 · In the wacky contest, competitors walk, scoot or scamper their way to the end of a greased horizontal pole suspended above Gloucester Harbor. Gloucester's Greasy Pole Contest — This event is held annually during St. Contestants, cheered on by a raucous crowd, attempted to scale a slippery pole to reach an enticing prize of salami and cheese atop. Jul 13, 2024 · Every summer, the Italian Market Festival includes a grease pole climbing competition, with the previous one taking place in May. Nick Jul 1, 2013 · Sal Benson (pictured in 2003) won the Greasy Pole contest 15 times. Peter’s Fiesta than the greasy pole contest. Peter's Fiesta on Cape Ann. One by one, contestants walk or run out onto the pole, slip, and plummet into the water while attempting to capture the flag. Each year Gloucester, Massachusetts, hosted its annual Greasy Pole contest at Pavilion Beach in June 2025 as part of the St. Each year, the South 9th Street Italian Market Festival returns in mid-May for one full weekend. A forty-five foot telephone pole is attached to a platform and extends out over the water. However, the show must go on and dozens compete annually, with some returning champions such as 80-year-old Salvi Benson whose historic ecord-setting 1968-1980 run saw an unmatched 11 wins. Coubertin was informed of these events by Hungarian IOC Member Ferenc Kemény, who wrote, “I was not only present at a sporting contest but also at a fair where there were sports, where there was cheating, where monsters were exhibited for a joke. The celebration of Gloucester’s Italian-American fishing community dates back nearly 100 years to 1927. Jun 30, 2025 · In the annual Gloucester greasy pole competition, where participants take turns running down a greased pole to capture a flag before falling into the water, a 20-year-old came out victorious. What is Sangkayaw? A "greasy pole" contest Top image: his photo is taken in the park in San Pedro in the eighties during some kind of celebration The pole is "greased" with something to make it slippery and 'teams' try to climb up it, climbing over each other and of course falling off. One of the youngest walkers to win the greasy pole! I just love it, seeing his buddies so excited to congratulate him as h Il-ġostra — In Malta, a greased pole is placed over the harbor at an angle. A telephone pole on a platform in the harbor is greased and a flag is affixed to the end. Sep 7, 2009 · The winners of the grease pole climbing competition at St. The winner is the one who successfully grabs the flag Greasy pole The Greasy Pole is a most unique contest indeed. The contest was a festival staple for years, until it was derailed ViralSnare Verified (Original) * For licensing / permission to use: Contact - licensing(at)viralsnare(dot)comLocation: United StatesSUBSCRIBE for awesome vid Jun 30, 2023 · Love & Grease: The story behind Gloucester's greasy pole competition A WBZ original documentary. ” Greasy pole, grease pole, or greased pole refers to a tall pole that has been made slippery with grease or other lubricants and thus difficult to grip. Participants attempt to cross a horizontal wooden pole in the middle of Gloucester Harbor to grab an Italian flag at the Jun 27, 2025 · At the annual St. Indonesia is celebrating its 69th independence from the Dutch Il-ġostra — In Malta, a greased pole is placed over the harbor at an angle. Picture: Donald MacLeod May 22, 2017 · We've rounded up footage of the grease pole competition, a tradition at the Italian Market Festival in Philadelphia. Why it matters: It's the crème de la crème of Philly's greased pole community duking it out for supremacy. This weekend, she’ll compete again on Sunday. Jun 27, 2025 · Catherine Frontiero made history last summer by becoming the first female to take on the Greasy Pole in over a decade. 27-year-old Colin Sweet of Gloucester is this year’s Friday Greasy Pole contest champion. Subscribe to LiveNOW f A man attempts to reach the flag during the Greasy Pole contest on Sunday, July 1, 2007. Jun 29, 2025 · St. Why it matters: The sports drink and sports events company better pack the extra greasy grease because Philadelphians have wings in this contest. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald) Jun 12, 2024 · Throw on a layer of grease and contestants face embarrassing slips at best and broken ribs at worst. The team that gets hold of something that's been attached to the top is the winner. These traditional events are essentially the same - there is a long pole covered in grease, lard, or some other lubricant, and participants attempt to climb or walk along the pole to get to the other end, where there may be a prize or flag to recover. The 2024 St. The Friday and Saturday contest are for those lucky enough to get Jun 21, 2023 · One of the highlights of the Fiesta is the Greasy Pole Contest. Peter’s Fiesta Greasy Pole Contest began Friday in Gloucester Massachusetts. Jun 14, 2024 · Red Bull is testing out Philadelphia's dominance in this town's ultimate sport: greased poles. Jun 28, 2025 · The world-famous greasy pole contest started Friday at St. They’re climbing for the bragging rights,” Gambino said. Jun 29, 2024 · GLOUCESTER - The first round of the greasy pole competition is over in Gloucester. Peter's Fiesta produced some memorable highlights, including plenty of painful-looking bloopers. It’s his first time getting the flag. 9M subscribers 58K The world-famous greasy pole contest started Friday at St. A forty-five foot telephone pole is attached to a platform and extends Jul 23, 2018 · What to Know The Greasy Pole competition is a major draw at Saint Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Mass. Peter's Fiesta brings the attention of the state and beyond to the Cape Ann fishing city. Fastest Time To Cross A Greased Pole - Guinness World Records Guinness World Records 12. Highlights from the 2023 St. Peter’s Fiesta, the competition each year involves people slipping and sliding across a greased up 45-foot telephone pole in Gloucester Harbor while trying to grab a flag Jun 26, 2022 · The 2022 winner of the famed ‘Greasy Pole’ contest was Derek Hopkins, the same man who last grabbed the coveted flag at the end of that slick, 40-foot-long greased pole when the championship was last held three years ago. Peter's Fiesta Greasy Pole contest in Gloucester. Jordan natives David Young and Brian Wheeler were returning from a trip to the Adirondacks and stopped by the Boonville Woodsmen Field Days in Boonville, New York on their way home. Subscribe to WCVB on YouTube n May 21, 2021 · Yes, you heard that right! This sport involves climbing a greasy pole! Depending upon the local tradition, the pole is either vertical or horizontal. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester. Watch a compilation of the Greasy Pole contest from Pavilion Beach in Gloucester, showcasing this unique and entertaining tradition. Jul 1, 2024 · Watch: Gloucester’s greasy pole contest remains summer’s craziest competition Guts, glory, and grease were all present in abundance at the annual highlight of St. Peters Fiesta sporting events. The 3-day event challenges competitors to seize a flag at the end of a greasy pole 25 feet above the water Surprisingly the sporting event of climbing a greased-up slippery pole is quite common around the world. WBZ-TV's Juli McDonald reports. Some other fun features: Hot Dog Pig Racing, magic shows, and Chainsaw Chix expert chainsaw carving throughout the week. Perhaps even more important to the winning team are the bragging rights… until next year. Participants attempt to cross a horizontal Participants struggle to reach the prizes during a greased-pole climbing competition held as a part of the independence day celebrations in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sunday, August 17, 2014. May 4, 2025 · Test your strength and skills at the 2025 Grease Pole Climbing Contest! The Grease Pole, or Albero Della Cuccagna in Italian, is an old tradition in which teams compete in climbing to the top of a greased pole to reach prizes of meats, cheeses, gifts, and money. Jun 28, 2025 · The Friday Greasy Pole contest was extended for about a half hour during the second competitive round when the flag fell off the pole and needed to be reset. If it is placed vertically, whoever reaches the top first and grabs the red flag is the winner. Participants attempt to cross a horizontal wooden pole in the middle of Gloucester Harbor to grab an Italian flag at the The city of Springfield's famous grease pole competition is returning this Saturday and Sunday after over 20 years. Photo: Courtesy of Red Bull One more competition to check out on an Olympics-packed weekend: Saturday's Red Bull greased pole contest. May 13, 2024 · Greased Pole Climbing Competition: A tradition brought over from Italy, the competition , known as a albero della cuccagna in Italian, features groups of people working together to race up a 30-foot lard-greased pole for cash prizes, meats, and cheeses. Jun 26, 2023 · Good Morning Gloucester My View of Life on the Dock Love & Grease: The story behind Gloucester’s greasy pole competition Posted on June 26, 2023 by Joey Ciaramitaro https://youtu. A forty-five-foot telephone pole is attached to a platform and extends out over the water. Competition takes place all day on both festival days, at Ninth and Montrose Streets. , Cleveland Ohio. (WHDH) - After a number of fails and flops, a contestant of the world-famous greasy pole contest in Gloucester took the flag Friday and was named a 2024 winner. Apr 26, 2020 · Where does Palo Sebo originated? Visayas Palo Sebo (climbing a greased bamboo contest) – It traces its origins to a similar game widely played in the Visayas that had men racing up a greased coconut tree. The Greasy Pole Competition: It's one of the main attractions at St. Jun 23, 2023 · “What if instead we had a greasy pole?” Rich Hopkins was himself a two-time winner of Gloucester’s fabled greasy pole competition, one of seven champions in his extended family. , which has been running since 1927. Julian's, Malta. However, this year is different, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Winners are written into the local history books as legends, and get free drinks all night. Peter's Fiesta is a five-day festival honoring the patron saint of the fisherman, St. However, there is another slight variation to this sport — the pole is sometimes laid horizontally over the sea, and these participants must walk Highlights from the annual Greasy Pole Contest in Gloucester. 7-meter) pole to capture a flag at the 93rd Greasy Pole Contest during St. The pole is 30 feet high, greased with Jul 19, 2024 · Attendees can look forward to a variety of activities during the Grease Pole Festival 2025, including traditional dance performances, live music, cultural exhibits, and of course, the thrilling greased pole climbing competition. Report by Victoria Nwos The Greasy Pole contest takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Pavilion Beach immediately following the Seine boat races. May 22, 2025 · 94 likes, 3 comments - st. The festival provides a platform for communities to come together, share their heritage, and create lasting memories. Greasy pole, grease pole, or greased pole refers to a tall pole that has been made slippery with grease or other lubricants and thus difficult to grip. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, contestants attempt to scamper across a slippery 45-foot pole over the water to grab a flag. Videos of contestants attempting to scamper across a slippery 45-foot telephone pole that juts out over Jun 28, 2025 · On Friday, hundreds gathered from near and far to watch people race across a 40-foot-long greased pole in Gloucester. They . “Basically this is like Christmas in June for the Sicilian community,” Gloucester resident Eric Spear Jun 26, 2022 · The 2022 winner of the famed ‘Greasy Pole’ contest was Derek Hopkins, the same man who last grabbed the coveted flag at the end of that slick, 40-foot-long greased pole when the championship Oct 6, 2013 · Jordan Gray with his prize for climbing the greasy pole. May 16, 2024 · How to climb a grease pole (or just watch), from an Italian Market Festival champion South Philly native Frankie Longo offers tips on how to fully enjoy the competition for prizes and South Philly Jun 29, 2024 · The annual Greasy Pole contest during St. Each year, local men take turns walking the pole for glory and honor. The weekend-long event is scheduled on the weekend closest to the feast day of St. Jun 30, 2023 Events including throwing bolos, mud fighting, and climbing a greased pole. THE JUDGE FOR THE GREASED POLE CLIMB AND/OR A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIREC-TORS, AND/OR THE EXECUTIVE COORDINATOR OF THE WAYNE COUNTY FAIR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY ANY TEAM AND/OR TEAM MEMBER AND/OR CANCEL THE EVENT WITH-OUT PRIOR NOTICE. The Grease Pole, or Albero Della Cuccagna in Italian, is an old tradition in which teams compete in climbing to the top of a greased pole to reach prizes of meats, cheeses, gifts, and money. May 17, 2025 · Test your strength and skills at the 2025 Grease Pole Climbing Contest! The Grease Pole, or Albero Della Cuccagna in Italian, is an old tradition in which teams compete in climbing to the top of a greased pole to reach prizes of meats, cheeses, gifts, and money. A WBZ original documentary. Peter’s Fiesta Greasy Pole competition is bragging rights. The true goal of the St. Maria Petrone: "The guys form a human … Jun 28, 2024 · GLOUCESTER , MASS. The other event is the Seine Boat Races. Jun 28, 2022 · The Greasy Pole is a 40-foot telephone pole that is slathered in biodegradable grease — along with other items such as banana peels, orange rinds, eggs and fish guts — and attached to a 12 Jun 28, 2024 · Colin Sweet, winner of the Greasy Pole Contest, is paraded through streets of Gloucester CBS Boston The contest takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Pavilion Beach. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen. Some teams saw success this year. Once a contestant captures the flag, they swim to the Sep 18, 2022 · Congratulations to our greased pole climbing contest and potato dance winners! Greasy pole, grease pole, or greased pole refers to a tall pole that has been made slippery with grease or other lubricants and thus difficult to grip. May 18, 2025 · As the day unfolded, one of the festival’s most anticipated events, the greased pole-climbing competition, attracted considerable attention. Jun 13, 2024 · Philadelphians get chance to run up greased pole for prize at 1st-ever Red Bull event The first-ever Red Bull Championship Run in Philadelphia takes place on Saturday July 27, 2024. Jun 28, 2025 · The tradition of the greasy pole contest is a big part of the annual St. Jun 24, 2023 · The ‘Greasy Pole’ contest is an iconic tradition in the St. Jun 28, 2025 · Gloucester’s Jo-Jo Klyce makes it to the end of the 40-foot greased pole-slicked with nearly 200 pounds of grease-and snatches the flag, claiming victory. Jul 1, 2024 · Again, congratulations Derek Hopkins on his newest Greasy Pole win! It was an exciting evening out there on the pole with some interesting walkers including the rare appearance of a woman Catherine Frontiero. The Greasy Pole is a contest where brave soles run across a grease covered pole trying to capture a flag. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts every year. Jun 27, 2025 · The greasy pole contest is a major part of St. Jun 30, 2024 · Gloucester, Mass — Gloucester’s annual Greasy Pole contest, the highlight of St Peter’s Fiesta, is set to conclude Sunday after a weekend of slips, falls and glory. Peter's Fiesta. Aug 21, 2020 · However, there are several traditional games that become identical with Indonesia’s Independence Day celebration, such as balap karung (gunny sack race), cracker eating, panjat pinang (greasy pole climbing), tug of war, and bakiak race. khfs azuweirvv gaaac krmgvpw wqrpa qfmblmpu mznd keyl eems eqgk