Viva San Pietro!
Inside Gloucester’s Fiesta
By Trina Scuderi, Spring 2018 Intern
Summer is my favorite time of the year. Not just because of
warm weather and beach days, but because of a celebration in my hometown of
Gloucester, Massachusetts.
St. Peter’s Fiesta is
an annual celebration of St. Peter—the patron saint of fishermen. Gloucester is
known for its large Italian American fishing community, so it’s no surprise
that St. Peter is so heavily celebrated.
Fiesta Sunday is the last and most important day. My aunt
lives down the street from all the activities, so she’ll host a cookout every
year. Shortly after we arrive to my aunt’s house, we’ll all walk down the
street to watch the parade. My mom will buy flowers and pins of St. Peter for
all the girls.
Somewhere between the marching bands and baton twirlers, a
statue of St. Peter is carried through the streets of Gloucester. The men will shout,
“Me chi samiou tutti mutti?” and
expect the response, “Viva San Pietro!”
The Greasy Pole competition is later in the afternoon, and
hundreds of people will congregate on the beach to watch it. Men will run along
a horizontal greased pole—sometimes hitting it on the way down, more often
slipping off the side and into the ocean—to capture a flag at the end.
The first round is considered a courtesy round; no one can
take the flag. This gives all of the contestants a chance to run before the
actual competition starts. Winning the Greasy Pole on Sunday is one of the most
prestigious honors. The Sunday winner is paraded through the streets, and
congratulated by everyone they pass by.
This year, St. Peter’s Fiesta begins on Wednesday, June 27,
and ends on Sunday, July 1. I can’t wait!
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