A 45-foot pole coated in lard, banana peels, and fish entrails turned Gloucester Harbor into a scene of chaos as contestants were hurled into the sea in this year’s savage return of the Greasy Pole contest.
At a Glance
- Contestants sprint across a slicked telephone pole suspended over Gloucester Harbor.
- The objective is to seize a flag before falling violently into the water below.
- Friday’s victor, Joey Klyce, will open Saturday’s brutal rounds.
- The event originated in 1927 and is rooted in Italian-American fishing culture.
- Spectators often witness serious injuries, including broken ribs and concussions.
Slippery Ritual Turns Savage
It’s not just tradition—it’s a public test of bone-crushing balance and reckless guts. At this year’s Greasy Pole contest, part of Gloucester’s infamous St. Peter’s Fiesta, dozens of men charged a greased beam hanging over the harbor, only to be flung like rag dolls into the rocks and waves.
Grease made from fish guts, lard, and spoiled fruit turns the pole into a weapon. Contestants run barefoot, slip mid-stride, and crash into the Atlantic, sometimes emerging bloodied or unconscious. The prize? A simple flag—and hometown legend status.
Champion Crowned—But For How Long?
Joey Klyce took Friday’s title after three bruising rounds, gripping the flag just before being flung into the surf. He’ll return Saturday to defend his victory in an even bloodier lineup (CBS News).
As the crowd roared from boats and shoreline, medics hovered nearby, treating sprains, gashes, and minor concussions. But the danger only feeds the mythos. Klyce, like his predecessors, walks into the next round knowing the pole shows no mercy.
Glory, Faith, and Maritime Violence
What began in 1927 as a nod to Sicilian fishing rites has evolved into a visceral public ordeal. St. Peter’s Fiesta honors the patron saint of fishermen—but the greasy pole has become its brutal soul.
The rest of the weekend includes sacred processions, carnivals, and community prayer—but it’s the violent ballet on Pavilion Beach that draws the masses. Organizers say it’s about heritage. Critics say it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen (Discover Gloucester).
Either way, one thing is certain: the Greasy Pole doesn’t forgive—and only legends grip the flag and survive the fall.
