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Running the greasy pole: Gloucester’s annual super challenge (Photos)

A 45-foot long telephone pole, dripping with grease, juts off a pier 200 feet off Gloucester’s Pavilion Beach and people just can’t wait to run it.

“Some contestants sprint out like racehorses hoping momentum will carry them to the end of the pole. Others take a very slow approach, one step at a time, always trying to maintain their balance,” organizers say of their famous event.

The object is to grab the flag pole at the end before slipping and falling into the ocean.

Regardless of the tactic, organizers admit that it’s “not uncommon for these daring individuals to come away with scrapes, bruises or even broken ribs.”

The event is part of the yearly St. Peter’s Fiesta, which takes place to the weekend nearest the Feast Day of St. Peter and is organized by Gloucester’s Italian-American Fishing Community. The fiesta, and its greased poll event, started Friday and concludes Sunday.

Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald
Greasy Pole’s 2025 champion Jo-Jo Klyce is hoisted onto the shoulders of fellow participants and carried from the water toward the Greasy Pole Shrine as the crowd erupts in celebration. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
The crowd errupts in cheers as Jo-Jo Klyce is carried through town while hoisted onto the shoulders of fellow participants in victory. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Participants inch their way across the 40-foot greased pole, each hoping to be the one to snag the flag at the end. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
A spectator in the water cheers as Jo-Jo Klyce triumphantly falls into the harbor clutching the flag, marking the end of the Greasy Pole contest. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Participants inch their way across the 40-foot greased pole, each hoping to be the one to snag the flag at the end. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
The crowd errupts in cheers as Jo-Jo Klyce is carried through town while hoisted onto the shoulders of fellow participants in victory. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
The crowd errupts in cheers as Jo-Jo Klyce is carried through town while hoisted onto the shoulders of fellow participants in victory. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald
Participants inch their way across the 40-foot greased pole, each hoping to be the one to snag the flag at the end. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Gloucester’s Jo-Jo Klyce makes it to the end of the 40-foot greased pole-slicked with nearly 200 pounds of grease-and snatches the flag, claiming victory. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Spectators line the Gloucester shoreline, to watch participants as they take on the slippery greased pole. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald
Gloucester’s Jo-Jo Klyce makes it to the end of the 40-foot greased pole-slicked with nearly 200 pounds of grease-and snatches the flag, claiming victory. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Spectators line the Gloucester shoreline, to watch participants as they take on the slippery greased pole. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Spectators line the Gloucester shoreline, to watch participants as they take on the slippery greased pole. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Spectators line the Gloucester shoreline, to watch participants as they take on the slippery greased pole. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Gloucester’s Jo-Jo Klyce makes it to the end of the 40-foot greased pole-slicked with nearly 200 pounds of grease-and snatches the flag, claiming victory. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
The crowd errupts in cheers as Jo-Jo Klyce is carried through town while hoisted onto the shoulders of fellow participants in victory. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
The crowd errupts in cheers as Jo-Jo Klyce is carried through town while hoisted onto the shoulders of fellow participants in victory. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Gloucester’s Jo-Jo Klyce makes it to the end of the 40-foot greased pole-slicked with nearly 200 pounds of grease-and snatches the flag, claiming victory. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)
Greasy Pole’s 2025 champion Jo-Jo Klyce is hoisted onto the shoulders of fellow participants and carried from the water toward the Greasy Pole Shrine as the crowd erupts in celebration. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)

Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald
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Greasy Pole’s 2025 champion Jo-Jo Klyce is hoisted onto the shoulders of fellow participants and carried from the water toward the Greasy Pole Shrine as the crowd erupts in celebration. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)

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