The winning walk!
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The winning walk!
Tag Archives: St. Peter’s Fiesta
Check-Out Northshore Magazine’s Fiesta Article, Featuring Interviews with Tom Favazza, Laura Ventimiglia, and Joe Novello
The June/July issue of Northshore Magazine features an article about Fiesta. Written by Gloucester author Sarah Shemkus, extensive background information is provided by Laura Ventimiglia, Joe Novello, and Tom Favazza, with photos provided by Joel Laino, Tom Favazza, and myself.
Northshore Magazine is available to purchase at most CVS and Walgreens on the North Shore. In Gloucester, the current stock is as follows –
• Shaw’s Supermarket at 127 Eastern Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930 with 18 copies available
• Stop & Shop at 6 Thatcher Rd, Gloucester, MA 01930 with 26 copies available
• Walgreens at 201 Main St, Gloucester, MA 01930 with 5 copies available
• Walgreens at 127-135 Eastern Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930 with 6 copies available
You can also subscribe and purchase single copies at the link here.
YOUR 2023 SUNDAY GREASY POLE CHAMPION DEREK HOPKINS!
Congratulations to Derek Hopkins for taking down his fifth Greasy Pole flag!
Derek was the second walker after the courtesy round. He grabbed the flag but not to a final victory, as it was left dangling, the third time that has happened over the course of the 2023 Greasy Pole contest. The dangling flag happened yet again (#4), this time midway through the first round.
At the top of the second round, Derek got a great hold and captured the flag. Not getting a firm hold and leaving the flag to dangle is a very unusual occurrence, and rarely happens even once in a competition, let alone four times.
YOUR 2023 SATURDAY GREASY POLE CHAMPION STEVE MILITELLO!
Congratulations to Steve Militello, your Saturday Greasy Pole champion. At 44 years old, Steve is the oldest Walker to ever capture the flag!
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY – FOR GREASY POLE WALKER NICK TAOROMINA
Nick came so close, I thought he should get a reel, too. It’s not easy being Greasy.
What happens when the flag is left dangling? The Massachusetts Environmental Police lend a hand!
FIESTA KIDS! VIVA SAN PIETRO
One of my favorite things about Fiesta is filming the children’s expressions of delight and wonderment!
YOUR 2023 FRIDAY GREASY POLE CHAMPION COLIN SWEET!
Congratulations to Colin Sweet! This is Colin’s first win.
I lost track, did Collin take the flag on the third or fourth round? Many ‘near grabs’ that will haunt the Walker forever, including a miss by Nick Taormina that left the flag dangling.
OVER THE BRIDGE FANTASTIC FIESTA OPENING!
Loved, loved Over the Bridge for the opening night on the Fiesta altar stage! I think I captured lots of great footage for the St. Peter’s Fiesta film (hopefully, and with permission from the band) and a few snapshots from their first set –
Over The Bridge is a Reggae-Rock infused good time jam band with strong hip-hop influences raised by that dirty water on the North Shore of Massachusetts.
OTB is all about bringing you the best in “FEEL GOOD MUSIC” with a bit of Rock N Roll, Hip Hop and Reggae.
The year was 1998. Dave and Mike were somewhere around 7 years old. As co captains of the Ash colored U-8 soccer team they never imagined they would later cross paths in life to captain a different team. That team, was Over the Bridge.
It began one summer in 2014 when The Madfish Grille on Gloucester’s Rocky Neck needed a band for a Saturday night. Then bar manager Jonny Macdonald called Mike Forgette and asked if he could throw together a band to fill the slot.
That night much like others that Summer, felt so right that a few months later they decided to officially form the group now known as Over the Bridge. A play on a common saying used by Gloucester locals to describe a place far away or traveling “out of town”.
The boys of OTB individually have been
making music for over a decade, and together their different influences combine to create a style that is refreshingly original. A modern adaptation of reggae, beach rock, and hip-hop with lyrics that speak tales of the struggle of real life and love.
Fast-forward to 2018, they’ve released a self-funded, recorded and produced EP (Something in The Water 2016), played hundreds of shows across various States in the North East and down the East Coast, sharing the stage with names like The Elovaters, Bumpin Uglies, Tropidelic, New Kingston, Etana, Joe Sambo, Passafire, Ballyhoo!, Roots of Creation, Katastro, Pacific Dub, Of Good Nature, Tunnel Vision and many more. They’ve earned spots on area festivals such as Boston Freedom Rally, Higher Education Music Festival, Terptown Throwdown, Ziontific Summer Solstice Music Festival, Jersey Shore Festival, and Mountain Music Festival at Melody Mountain.
What’s the best way for someone to check out Over the Bridge?
FOLLOW US!
Instagram: @otbtunes
Facebook: @otbtunes
Track us on the BandsInTown App and stay hip with the latest show announcements!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.otbtunes.com
- Email: theboys@otbtunes.com
- Instagram: @otbtunes
- Facebook: Facebook.com/otbtunes
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0q6aObq9zYsYI6b095RGJ3
- Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/over-the-bridge/1607394878?app=itunes
JOYFUL HEARTFELT NOVENA TO SAINT PETER, WITH A GIFT FROM EAST GLOUCESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Tonight marks the last night of the beautiful Novena to Saint Peter, held annually at the Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post. Doors open at 6pm, the Novena begins at 6:30, followed by Mass at 7:00pm.
With thanks and gratitude to the Novena Committee: Jeanne Linquata, Grace Cusamano, Caryn Ryder, Ann Sanfilippo, Joanne Aiello, Faye Quinlan, and Nina Groppo.
The wonderfully iridescent fishes are cut from paper kindergarten teacher Ann had in her art closet at East Gloucester Elementary School. All the ladies cut out the fishes and I think it’s one of the sweetest mementos to remember our beloved school by.
The Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post is located at 8 Washington Street, Gloucester
OFFICIAL SAINT PETER’S FIESTA 2023 SCHEDULE
CRAZY HAT LADY SAMANTHA BARRETT’S MAGNIFICENT CREATION
Samantha Barrett if a first time Fiesta Crazy Hat Lady
WINNING WALK SHORT FILM – ANTHONY NOVELLO YOUR SATURDAY GREASY POLE CHAMPION!
“I did it for the Fort!”
VIDEO – LEO CANNAVO 2022 FRIDAY GREASY POLE CHAMPION
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEO!
Veteran Greasy Pole Walker Leo Cannavo captures the flag, his first in 20 years of walks. And it’s his birthday!
DEREK HOPKINS YOUR 2022 SUNDAY GREASY POLE CHAMPION
Greasy Pole Walker phenom Dereck Hopkins captured the flag on the second walk of the first round. It wasn’t unexpected, as he strolled out to the very end of the Greasy Pole on the second walk of the courtesy round. Congratulations to Derek!
SCENES FROM ST. PETER’S NOVENA, MASS, AND PROCESSION
The last night of the nine-day Novena concluded with a Mass and procession to Beach Court. With thanks and gratitude to the beautiful Novena ladies for hostessing and organizing the Novena to St. Peter. You could feel the joy in people’s hearts to be back celebrating again in person.
YOUR SATURDAY GREASY POLE CHAMPION ANTHONY NOVELLO!!
CONGRATULATIONS ANTHONY AND FAMILY!
SCENES FROM FRIDAY FIESTA
A glorious Friday Fiesta overflowing with joyful, smiling Fiesta goers. One attendee sweetly spoke about how during Fiesta, the community of Gloucester comes together like one big family, and we all become Sicilian for a weekend. Viva San Pietro!
With thanks and gratitude to the Fiesta Committee for organizing the 2022 St. Peter’s Fiesta, no small feat after a two year hiatus due to Covid.
Joseph Novello – President
Michael Linquata – Vice President
Anthony Cusumano – Treasurer
Rose Aiello – Clerk
Christopher Palazzola – Committee Member
Salvatore Ferrara – Committee Member
Ralph Puopolo – Committee Member
Carlo Barbara – Committee Member
Rose Aiello – Committee Member
Alphonse Millefoglie – Committee Member
Lucia Sheehan – Recording Secretary
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
the agony
Santo Parisi, Friday Greasy Pole
YOUR FRIDAY GREASY POLE CHAMPION LEO CANNAVO!!!
Congratulations to Leo and the Cannavo Family <3
NONNA, WHAT IS ST. PETER’S FIESTA?
Charlotte LOVES Nonna, What isSt. Peter’s Fiesta? and we have given it to many of her friends, and they love it ,too <3
Author Laura shares – Celebrate St. Peter’s Fiesta with your very own copy of Nonna, What is St. Peter’s Fiesta? A great book for children and adults. All proceeds benefit St. Peter’s Fiesta, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit. Available at The Bookstore of Gloucester, Main St. Gloucester.
SAINT PETER’S FIESTA OFFICIAL 2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
St. Peter’s Fiesta 2022 Schedule
Tuesday, June 21
6:00 Novena
7:00 Mass
American Legion
Wednesday, June 22
7:00–10:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment….St. Peter’s Park:
Entertainment featuring “BARRY MOONEY”
Thursday, June 23
6:30 p.m.
Fiesta 5K Road Race – with Cape Ann YMCA
Starting location Stage Fort Park,
Finish line at St. Peter’s Park.
For further details, contact the Cape Ann YMCA.
8:00
Entertainment, Live Music and Dance at St. Peter’s Park
Featuring ….. “WILDFIRE”
Friday, June 24
4:45 p.m.
Greasy Pole Contest…and…Women’s Seine Boat Races
Pavilion Beach
6:30 p.m.
Entertainment….Before Opening Ceremony
7:30 p.m.
Formal Opening ….St. Peter’s Square
Entertainment immediately following
8:30 – 11:30 p.m.
featuring “MORENO FRUZZETTI”
Saturday, June 25
10:00 a.m
Pavilion Beach… Seine Boat Race:
U.S. Coast Guard vs Gloucester
Fire Department and Gloucester Police Department
10:00 a.m.
Playtime performance of our Children’s story book
“Nonna, What is St. Peter’s Fiesta?”
Location: TBD
3:00 p.m.
Children’s Games…. Beach Court
4:45 p.m.
Sports Events… Pavilion Beach
Seine Boat Races & Greasy Pole Contest
8:00
Musical Entertainment…St. Peter’s Square
featuring “FRANCO CORSO”
Sunday, June 26
10:00 a.m.
Celebration of MASS OF ST. PETER
at St. Peter’s Park
12:00 noon
Procession following the Celebration of Outdoor Mass
3:00 p.m
Blessing of the Fleet… Stacy Boulevard.
4:45 p.m.
Sports Events…at Pavilion Beach
Seine Boat Races & Greasy Pole Contest
7:15 p.m.
Awards Ceremony
Trophies awarded to winners of the Sports Events
8:30 p.m.
Musical Entertainment
St. Peter’s Park featuring
“ GRAZIANA LAZZARO and ELIO SCACCIO”
11:00 p.m.
Raffle Drawings and Closing Procession
St. Peter’s Fiesta Children’s Book Nonna, what is St. Peter’s Fiesta” will be on sale at the Main Stage Altar throughout the Fiesta weekend. To purchase a copy before Fiesta, email http://www.stpetersfiesta.org
All proceeds benefit St. Peter’s Fiesta.
Save the Date: Next Year….
St. Peter’s Fiesta, June 21 – June 25, 2023
“St. Peter’s Fiesta ™ ”
Copyright © 2023 St. Peter’s Fiesta Committee. All Rights Reserved.
THE GREASY POLE SHRINE IS A KNOCKOUT THIS YEAR!
Gloucester’s beloved Greasy Pole Shrine has returned after a two year absence due to Covid. The Shrine is beautiful and meaningful every year however, this year it has expanded. Eric Spear has made some outstanding improvements, including repainting and redesigning signs incorporating both Sicilian and American flags and iconography. Eric has also reprinted nearly every photo, at his own expense, and we know how high the cost of printing cartridges is currently.
Eric taking a break
It’s going to be a fantastic Fiesta!
Viva San Pietro <3
Charlotte practicing Greasy Pole moves
GREASY POLE SHRINE HONORING ANTHONY MATZA GIAMBANCO AND RUSSEL HYNES
Eric Spear’s Greasy Pole Walker’s shrine this year is dedicated to Sunday Champion Anthony Matza Giambanco and Saturday Champion Russell Hynes. Go see, very low key but moving and beautiful.
SaintPeter’s 
VIVA!
Art Haven’s Fiesta VIVA! mural!
SAINT PETER’S FIESTA POSTPONEMENT DATES
This year’s 2020 Fiesta is scheduled to take place from Wednesday through Sunday, June 24th through June 28th. If a postponement were to occur, Fiesta President Joe Novello and the Fiesta Committee are waiting for final approval by the Special Events Committee to schedule postponement dates over the weekend of September 10th through the 13th. They are hoping to have a definite answer by May 5th. However, this is all contingent upon the State government’s mandated protocols.
You can read the full article in today’s Gloucester Daily Times