My View of Life on the Dock
Kudos to all of Friday night’s Greasy Pole contestants. Good showing!
And climb back up?”
Millefoglie announcing Fiesta. He thanks Dusky Foundation and Linzee Coolidge
“First time winner!”
Clarence Birdseye had the perfect name!
Enjoy a birds-eye vista of Gloucester. The Fiesta at St. Peter’s is to the left of the new Beauport Hotel, the former site of Birdseye, and the Greasy Pole to the right. Finding Fiesta from the next birds-eye vantage point is a challenge, but if you have keen eyes…
Look in this direction.
Looking out my office window its hard to believe this is an afternoon in April, not mid-February. The following is a quote friend Jamy left on my Facebook page today, “Spring, she could not help herself, she fell back into Winter’s cold embrace.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDx_IT4jysU/
Some shots of the activities from a different perspective. Looking at Pavilion Beach area from Stacy Boulevard. From past the Fisherman..
Congratulations to Jake Wagner, your Sunday (Monday) Greasy Pole Champion!
With funny Leggomen time lapse sequences!
Congratulations to Jack Russ, the 2014 Saturday Greasy Pole Champion. This was his first win and first walk. Jack was home on from leave from the United States Air Force.
Music by the Black Keys. “Fever” was the first single released from their latest album Turn Blue (2014).
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Congratulations to Mark Allen, the 2014 Sunday Greasy Pole Champion! This was Mark’s first win, after 16 previous years of walking! Allen was walking for his cousin Peter “Black” Frontiero who has the second most wins of all time, with a total of nine.
Each year I look forward to filming and photographing the greasy pole events. The determination on the men’s faces, the camaraderie, the ecstasy and pride in winning, the anguish of defeat, the hilarious costumes, and the Felliniesque antics combine to create a fabulous fiesta of stories and images.
The film opens at the childhood home of the Giambanco Family, with Sefatia leading the Greasy Pole Walkers and guests in the rallying “Viva San Pietro,” the cheer that is heard throughout the city of Gloucester during Saint Peter’s Fiesta. Giambanco sisters Marianne, Grace, Rosaria, and Sefatia continue with their mother Rosalia’s, “Lia’s” custom of feeding the Greasy Pole Walkers dinner before the walk. The tradition began years ago when their brother, Anthony “Matza” Giambanco, began walking. Sefatia explains that Lia had always held a huge family feast with relatives from all around the country attending. The first year her brother walked he told his mom he couldn’t eat because he was meeting everyone. She said I don’t care; you have to eat, and told him to bring everyone back to their home. That was in 1978!
Next the Walkers head over to rally at the Gloucester House, where they greet Lenny shouting his name over and over, to a packed restaurant full of guests. Several more stops are made along the way before the next rally at the Saint Peter’s Club. The Walkers make one last stop to say a prayer to Saint Peter, and perhaps pin a gold charm or coin to the statue, before departing for the greased pole platform at Pavilion Beach
* * *
With special thanks and appreciation to Nicky Avelis and all the Greasy Pole Walkers for allowing me to ride on the boat. It went by way too fast! And thank you to the skipper for giving me a ride back to shore.
With thanks and appreciation to Rosaria, Sefatia, Marianne, and Grace for inviting me to come film the Walker’s rally at your welcoming Fiesta Sunday Feast!
The song “Love Runs Out,” is by OneRepublic for the reissue of their third album, Native.
The song “The Walker” is by Fitz and The Tantrums from the album More Than Just a Dream.
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The first clip is especially Felliniesque but then again, the entire time I am shooting the greasy pole I feel as though I am in the midst of a Fellini film. Friday’s and Sunday’s films are coming in the next few days, with some Very Fun Footage.
I Loved this song when first I heard it and thought it perfect for Greasy Pole Walkers. Written and performed by Fitz and The Tantrums, “The Walker,” (that is really the title of the song!) is from their second album, More Than Just a Dream.
Previous GMG Posts about Kyle Barry: Kyle Barry for the Win! 
Additional music note ~ Fitz and The Tantrums will be performing at the House of Blues in Boston on November 15th.
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Part Two ~ to read part one, click here
The ride to the platform was thrilling, and a little terrifying, as I wasn’t exactly sure how my not-waterproof camera gear would fare.
After the pole walkers disembarked, the skipper kindly gave me a ride to shore to continue filming from Pavilion Beach. 
The Walks began under windy conditions and the tide was low, as it had been all weekend, which made for a very, very long drop when the guys hit the water. 
Mark Allen
Congratulations to Mark Allen for winning the Sunday 2014 Greasy Pole title. Congratulation to Sunday’s Senior Seine Boat champions, the Wharf Rats, and junior champions, Bad Intentions! 
Festivities continued throughout the night with the awards ceremony and live music. Around 11pm, after the late night carnival crowd had dispersed, a beautiful event began to unfold. From all corners of Gloucester, people gathered around to fill the fair grounds. Saint Peter was again lifted down from the stage and a throng of hundreds lined the square to carry the statue around the Fort. With much cheering and jubilation, Saint Peter and his followers were welcomed throughout the neighborhood. Midway during the route, the procession paused and confetti rained down on all. Rounding the bend, a fabulous fireworks display had been organized for the crowd. Sparkles shot all around, and I stayed close to my friends Nina and Frank as we reveled in the sheer beauty of it all. The fireworks concluded and the procession continued, with the sight of Gloucester’s exquisite port illuminated by the nights’ light. Arriving at Saint Peter’s Club, another shower of confetti greeted Saint Peter. The statue was carefully removed from the carrying stand and placed back in the window of the Saint Peter’s Club.
Good Night Saint Peter, Until Next Year!
Thank you to the beautiful Nina and Frank Groppo and their friends and family for always welcoming me with their open arms. Thank you to the beautiful Giambanco family for welcoming us all to their home for their fabulous Sunday Fiesta Feast and Fun! See Part One Here
Part One
Every seat for the outdoor Mass at Gloucester’s Saint Peter’s Square was filled by 10am, with people spilling out under the trees and a standing room only crowd along Roger’s Street. Blue skies and wispy white clouds above made for an exquisite June morning, while the aromas of suntan lotion, popcorn, and the salty sea filled the air. The crowd was jubilant with everyone dressed in bright pretty colors and fresh fiesta whites and especially sweet were the little girls in their summer frocks and sandals. Friends greeted friends and families prayed together, accompanied by cheers of Viva San Pedro. Bishop Arthur Kennedy gave the Mass, relating Saint Peter to the work of fishermen today, and was assisted by Father Jim of Our Lady of Good Voyage and Holy Family parishes. 
Groppo Family
Ann Margaret Ferrante and Joe Novello
Frank and Nina Groppo 
Melissa Cox and Ann Margaret Ferrante 
Following the Mass, Saint Peter was brought down from the stage and the stunning and lovingly made floats and marching bands lined up behind the statue for the procession through town. Saint Peter was hoisted upon the shoulders of eight bearers and the parade began, following the long established route up Washington Street to stop in front of Our Mother of Grace Club, then onto Our Lady of Good Voyage, before making its way back to the Saint Peter’s Club, where the statue was then carefully returned to the stage.
Meanwhile, over at the Giambanco Family home, preparations were well underway for their annual Sunday Saint Peter’s Fiesta celebration. Friends and family flowed through the welcoming doors of the childhood home of sisters Rosaria, Sefatia, Marianne, and Grace. 
Rosaria and Sefatia
Lia and April
Brandon and Marianne Paquette
Sefatia and Matt
Anticipation for the arrival of the hilariously costumed Greasy Pole Walkers was palpable. 
Sefatia Leads the Cheer
After the rally at the Giambanco home, the Walkers next stopped at the Gloucester House. Upon arriving there, shouts of LENNY, LENNY, LENNY filled the restaurant as Mr. Linquata greeted the band of merrymakers. 
Frequent stops along the way were made before arriving at Saint Peter’s Club for the final rally prior to setting off on the rig that took the Walkers to the Greasy Pole platform.
Continue reading “A Beautiful Saint Peter’s Fiesta Sunday”
Salvi Benson is the All Time Greasy Pole Champion, with 4 Saturday wins and 6 Sunday wins (wiki). As he swam in from the Greasy Pole platform, his friends shared that this was his last walk. Congratulations to Salvi for all his wins over the years. Very best wishes to you!
Continue reading “More Grease-Flying Photos from Greasy Pole Saturday!”
Good Morning Gloucester 