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Greasy pole or grease pole refers to a pole that is greasy. More specifically, it is the name of several events that involve climbing or walking on a pole that is horizontal or vertically aligned to the ground. These events have encouraged the creation of many similar events at schools and fairs around the world.

UK

In the UK contests to climb a greasy pole were held at numerous fairs including the Crab Fair in Egremont, Cumbria where the contest continues to this day - alongside the annual Gurning World Championships see Gurn. The prize for climbing the 30 foot pole was originally a hat but from 1852 became a side of mutton - which if there are no winners is cut up and distributed to the poor. Since 2004 the greasy pole has been discontinued as an event at Egremont Crab Fair, due to high insurance cover costs, should a participant fall from the pole.

As of the 19th of January 2008 Egremont is the proud home of the new Greasy Pole. A 30ft Sculpture by Turner Prize Winning artisit Jeremy Deller and collaborator Alan Kane. This is the teams first piece of public art and marks the re-introduction of the Greasy Pole as a crab fair event.

The phrase 'to climb the greasy pole' means reaching the upper echelons of any hierarchy but usually politics hence the name of the Yes Minister episode.

A slight variation is provided at the annual Seaview Regatta on the Isle of Wight. Here the greasy pole is horizontal over the sea and competitors walk along it, the one who walks the furthest before falling into the sea is the winner.

United States Of America

Gloucester, Massachusetts

The Greasy Pole Contest takes place every year during St. Peter's Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts. During this time, many young men try their luck at walking down a greased, wooden pole in the middle of Gloucester Harbor. The goal is to be the first person to grab the red flag at the end of the pole.

Concept

The idea behind The Greasy Pole competition came from Sicily in the 1920s while Italians were immigrating to America. In Sicily, however, the object is to walk across a greased pole protruding from a platform about 200 ft from shore. This platform, depending on the tide, can be anywhere from 10–25 ft above the water. The pole, which hangs over the water, is around 40–45 feet long, and only about as wide as a standard telephone pole. This pole is then heavily greased with biodegradable axle grease mixed with anything from Tabasco sauce, laundry detergent, banana peels, and various other slippery objects. A red flag (or sometimes the Italian Flag with a red flag underneath it) is then nailed to the very end of the pole. The idea is to run out on the heavily greased pole and try to grab the flag before slipping and falling into the water. Somewhere between 30–50 men aging anywhere from 18–55 go out from Pavilion Beach in Gloucester and wait on the platform. Then they walk the pole one at a time in a pre-determined order as read off by "The Voice of the St. Peter's Fiesta," Sam Nicastro, (who also walks the pole on Friday while his brother Dominic takes over the announcing duties). Generally, the men come from large Sicilian families.

Rules

The first round of the Greasy Pole is dubbed as the "Courtesy Round." This is done so that all the walkers get a chance to walk the pole. Generally, this is used to get a feel for exactly how greasy the pole really is. Some of the more experienced walkers only walk out a small distance and then dive off the pole into the water to save themselves from injury. Once all the walkers participating have walked, the second round begins. After the courtesy round is over, the flag can come down at any time. There are three days in which the Greasy Pole is competed:

Fiesta Friday

Most of the newcomers to the Greasy Pole event walk on Friday. The winner of the Friday Greasy Pole will walk first on Saturday.

Fiesta Saturday

People who began walking before Greasy Pole Friday was implemented in 1999 or people who have won on Greasy Pole Friday walk on Saturday. The winner of Saturday then will walk first on Sunday.

Fiesta Sunday

Also referred to as Championship Sunday. The winner of Saturday walks first, and on the platform are the former Saturday and Sunday champions of the Greasy Pole from years past and protégés of the former champions who can no longer walk because they have passed away or can no longer walk for health reasons. Winning on Fiesta Sunday is the most prestigious honor that a Greasy Pole walker can achieve, and every year they return to walk on Fiesta Sunday.

Awards For Winning

Generally speaking, the Greasy Pole is done for bragging rights. A trophy is given out to the winner, but in the close knit town of Gloucester where everyone knows each other, this is done for the right to say "I won." (free drinks all night at all the bars)

Dangers

This is obviously a very risky event. Walking through an almost frictionless environment anywhere from 10–25 feet over water on a very narrow pole can be dangerous. Several injuries, most of them minor, can and have occurred. These injuries can range from scrapes and bruises to broken facial bones or ribs from falling and landing on the pole. Police boats are nearby to assist if someone is seriously injured and needs to be taken to the hospital.

Trivia

• The record for most Greasy Pole wins belongs to Salvi Benson (11) 6 Sat, 5 Sun.

• Peter "Black" Fronterio won 7 straight Sunday contests between 1987–1993.Most Sunday wins,9 over all and all on Super Sunday .

• The only man who has won all 3 days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday , 1999) in a year is Jake Wood . 6th round Friday, 3rd Sat , 2nd Sun. Jake started walking in 1998 he now has a total of 7 wins . The Friday Greasy Pole was implemented, 1999.

• Anthony "Matza" Giambanco is known as the "Sheriff of the Greasy Pole." 6 time champ

• In 1979, one man grabbed the flag in the first round, breaking the Courtesy Round rule. Unfortunately, he incurred the wrath of Anthony "Matza" Giambanco. He promptly punched the man, nailed the flag to the pole, and the competition continued.

See also

• In Spain, it is known as a Cockaigne pole.

External links

• St. Peter's Fiesta: Official Website
• Crab Fair Official Web Site

• Contests