That’s a wrap for 2025 St. Peter’s Fiesta — and what a weekend it was on the sporting events front.
Despite some shaky weather at times, including extreme fog and haze off the shores of Pavilion Beach, both the greasy pole contest and seine boat races were carried out with little interruptions. And the massive crowds that turned out to watch it all unfold reached near record-level amounts, particularly for Sunday’s championship finales.
There were some surprises along the way, including two new victors in the greasy pole and another in the women’s seine title race.
Here’s a quick breakdown of all the action from the celebratory weekend that was.
Friday Greasy Pole Contest
Prior to the start of this marquee event, numerous greasy pole walkers donned detailed outfits reminiscent of The Battle of Bunker Hill provincial soldiers and paraded through town. Their costumes even included replica muskets and a wheeled cannon, adding to the anticipation of the competition that followed.
Other walkers sported different get-ups, including the ever-popular Spider-Man suit.
But when it was time for the actual contest, the walker that reached the end of the greased-up, 40-foot telephone pole and snagged the ever elusive flag went for the simple look, rocking shorts and a T-shirt. That young man was Joe (Jo-Jo) Klyce, a regular participant but first-time winner.
Including the courtesy round, it was the 25-year-old’s third walk of the day, and it came after a brief delay as the flag came loose and fell into the water, forcing locals to nail it back up mid-competition. Klyce moved on to Saturday’s contest, coming oh-so-close to a repeat win but ultimately falling just short.
Saturday Greasy Pole Contest
The second day of the contest brought immense fog and mist — but that couldn’t stop 23-year-old Max Allen from another memorable performance.
After claiming his first victory at 2024’s Fiesta on Friday, Allen made it a repeat by reeling in the flag for a second straight summer. Dressed in an aforementioned Spidey suit, Allen channeled his inner super hero as his execution was textbook and he waltzed sideways across the slimy pillar to its end.
Klyce nearly spoiled Allen’s triumph, carrying out the best walk yet but failing to snag the flag just moment before Allen did.
Sunday Greasy Pole Contest
It was tough to bet against perennial favorite Derek Hopkins in the championship finale. The gifted walker simply has a knack for conquering the pole, doing so in each of the last four competitions on Sunday and six times overall.
But this year, Hopkins was finally dethroned.
It was a former standout three-sport athlete (hockey, lacrosse and golf) at Gloucester High, Nick White, who accomplished that feat, securing the flag early in the second round (first competitive round). In doing so, he became the first “protégé” to win on Sunday since two-time champion Nick Wagner in 2015.
Hopkins came oh-so-close to spoiling White’s first-ever victory, executing perhaps the best walk out of anyone to kick off Round 2.
Sunday’s contest also saw Catherine Frontiero make her return for the second consecutive year. Last summer, she became the first female to walk the pole in 12 years; she managed just a courtesy walk in 2025 before White stole the win.
Women’s Seine Boat Championship
If you had never heard of ‘Salty Oar’ prior to this past Friday’s women’s seine boat race finals, you’re not alone. That’s because the Rick Miles (scuttler) and Suzanne Clerkin (coxswain) led crew never existed until about two weeks ago when they decided to form a team and go for the crown.
What they lacked in experience they made up for with strength and determination, culminating in a memorable — and dominant — victory. The crew was made up of CrossFit gurus from various gyms across the Cape Ann and North Shore, and their pure athleticism and brawn ultimately won out.
Salty Oar convincingly beat out reigning champion ‘PowOar’ and ‘Age & Treachery’. Captain Dianne Parisi was joined by Addy Fenton, Jordy Fenton, Janelle Parker, Brandi Deon, Jenn Giovanucci, Kerri Fadden, Lori Sullivan, Kate Lefevre and Brianna Lysiak in rowing the victorious Santa Maria boat.
Men’s Seine Boat Championship
Saturday’s men’s seine boat race semifinals provided some controversy, leading to a new pair of teams competing for the title the following evening.
With heavy fog and a strong current making conditions extremely difficult, seven-time champion ‘Kaos’ and ‘Midnight Hammer’ collided with one another before the midway point of the race. It took both crews a good chunk of time to untangle and get back on track, allowing ‘Iron Wake’ to cruise to an easy win and automatically advance to Sunday’s finals. ‘Midnight Hammer’ would ultimately manage a runner-up finish, joining defending champion ‘ZFG’ on Sunday.
While ‘Kaos’, led once again by Tim Oakes, was undoubtedly disappointed with the result, the committee ruled Saturday’s fiasco fair game. It didn’t wind up mattering too much, as ‘ZFG’ went on to clinch the championship yet again, claiming their second straight victory and third title in the last four years (Kaos won in 2023).
Coxswain Paul Giacalone claimed his 12th title in the process, with scuttler Mike Harmon and the crew of Peter Mondello, Vincenzo Terranova, Jared Morris, Gilbert Brown, Peter Taormina, Sam Taormina, Alex Rodolosi, Kellen O’Maley, Jerry Ciaramitaro and JJ Palazzola all aiding in the effort.
Fiesta 5K Road Race
Before the weekend chaos commenced, Fiesta’s opening ceremony last Thursday evening was preceded by the annual 5K road race.
In what was a jam-packed event held in near perfect running conditions, 28-year-old Salem resident Kevin James cruised to victory in a time of 15:57. He edged out Willy Pierce (16:08) and Nick Poulin (16:18), the latter of whom is a former cross country star at Gloucester High. Fellow former Fishermen Harrison Pelosi, who earned All-Northeastern Conference honors in track, also had a strong showing with a seventh place finish (16:44).
On the women’s side, fellow newcomer Emma Spencer, who resides in Beverly, took the title with a time of 17:44, good enough for a 16th place finish overall. In total, nearly 1,500 individuals lined up for the race.
Sports Editor Nick Giannino may be contacted at 978-675-2712 or ngiannino@northofboston.com.