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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. Peter's Fiesta on Cape Ann.

Max Allen walks the pole to grab the flag during Friday's round of the greasy pole competition during St. Peter's Fiesta at Pavilion Beach in Gloucester. Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images

By Peter Chianca

July 1, 2024

2 minutes to read

The worst thing you can do is tiptoe. No, if you want to walk (well, swim) away with the elusive flag in the annual greasy pole competition at St. Peter’s Fiesta in Gloucester, you’ve got to attack that 45-foot slimy protuberance in a full-on sprint.

Yes, for the majority of participants that will end in a quick slip and even quicker splash into the Atlantic Ocean off Pavilion Beach, sans flag. But for the few, the brave, the greasy-and-eventually-wet, it will result in glorious victory, and the hoisting onto shoulders and free drinks that follow.

The setup of the near-ancient Gloucester tradition — it started in 1931, and this was the 94th edition, having skipped a few years for COVID — is tough to explain: It’s a three-day contest that starts with a “courtesy round,” and ends with a grand finale on Sunday involving the previous day’s winner, past champions, and protégés. (Yes, there are protégés — greasy pole padawans, if you will.)

Previously:

A look back: St. Peter’s Fiesta’s Greasy Pole in Gloucester

And this year, Derek Hopkins took home top honors for the sixth time, making him undefeated in his six pre- and post-COVID attempts. Not that his victory was foreordained: “I thought Stewy McGillivray was taking that thing down after his first walk,” Hopkins told the Gloucester Daily Times after his win, referencing an apparently actually real person. “But it was just very slippery out there today.”

Below, see video of Hopkins’ victory, along with shots of the good, the bad, and the greasy as they made their valiant attempts.

Another Greasy Pole win for Derek Hopkins… when it's all said and done he may go down as the best to ever walk the pole. This was his 6th time walking the pole and has won each time. 6 for 6….. only thing to stop him was Covid. 🇮🇹🇮🇹 #VivaSanPietro #StPetersFiesta #Gloucester pic.twitter.com/hSkbkQXwTG
— This Day In Barstool Sports (@ThisDayInBSS) June 30, 2024

A walker attempts to cross the greasy pole as hundreds in the crowd look on during St. Peter’s Fiesta in Gloucester this past weekend. – Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe

Going down? A contestant falls short during the 94th greasy pole contest. – Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images

Up, up, and away! Well, actually down, as another contestant falls to watery defeat from the greasy pole. – Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images

It’s all about the concentration for this contestant in the 94th greasy pole contest during St. Peter’s Fiesta at Pavilion Beach in Gloucester. – Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images

Things did not end well for this contestant in the 94th greasy pole contest. – Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images

A contestant, er, splits the difference as he falls on the pole during this year’s greasy pole contest in Gloucester. – Joseph Prezioso / AFP via Getty Images

The 94th Greasy Pole Contest was held at Pavilion Beach in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Competitors attempt to walk the greased pole without falling off to grab the flag at the end. Most participants fell into the ocean, but one individual managed to nab the elusive flag. pic.twitter.com/kNkUgyETHU
— Our World (@MeetOurWorld) July 1, 2024