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The Greasy Pole and the brave souls that walk it are a mainstay of the St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester and the pole itself has become a familiar landmark. When it disappeared at the end of September (the structure having collapsed into the sea) plans were formed to reconstruct it in time for next year's festival. Even though many members of the community are donating their time and even materials to help with the project funds still need to be raised for the new construction. That is how the first ever Greasy Pole fall classic was born.
The pole was brought the Gloucester High School and mounted on the football field above padding in order to have a pole walking event to raise funds. Walkers paid 25 dollars for the honor of running down a pole greased with crisco and an attempt to grab the much coveted greasy pole flag. As the images show such actions do not always end well. The walkers went in three groups and there was nearly ninety listed but not all of those were able to attend. Some walkers paid two and even three times to continue competing.
The walker that was injured was taken to Addison Gilbert Hospital by the ambulance crew that was on scene. That he was already injured before his final attempt of the day was more than a little disconcerting to some in the crowd. This event attracts some pretty rugged individuals who mightn't let the need of a few stiches stop them from competing.
I will let the images speak for themselves and offer all of the imagery in this article as a gift to the people who want them.
The winner of the first group starts his walk.
The flag is right there but many lose their balance at the last second and miss the grab.
He makes it look easy with an almost leisurely plucking of the flags.
Ouch!!
The Party may need to wait a while after this.
It's a little slippery....
That has to be an inch of crisco on those feet.
Hey it's the Gloucester Fisherman.
This was one of the biggest wipe outs of the day. (An honor in itself)
I believe a face plant in the early round caused the profuse bleeding but falling off of the upper padding onto the ground was what made a trip to the hospital necessary. No word on how he is doing but he gave two thumbs up on his way to the ambulance.
Three winners from the Gloucester Greasy Pole Fall Classic. A fund raising event to rebuild the ocean platform that mounts the greasy pole. A Gloucester landmark that fell into the sea in September.
This video quickly displays over 850 action images and two quick videos of the action at the Gloucester Greasy Pole Fall fund raiser.
The St. Peter's Fiesta Commitee has established a fund raising account at the Cape Anne Savings bank for the project to rebuild the Greasy Pole. Donations (With "Rebuild Greasy Pole Fund" written on them) can be sent to the Cape Anne Savings Bank, PO box 330 Gloucester Mass 01930.
