June 27, 2020
June 27, 2020
Philip Reisman (1904-1992), Blessing the Fleet, 1952. Oil on panel. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum. Gift of the artist [acc. # 2692.2]
Viva San Pietro...Viva San Pietro! In honor of this year’s canceled St. Peter's Fiesta, the Cape Ann Museum explores the history and traditions that have underscored this Italian American community celebration in Gloucester for over 90 years.
Fiesta! Fiesta!
St. Peter’s Fiesta has been held annually in Gloucester since 1927 and has grown into a five-day celebration honoring St. Peter, the patron saint of the fishermen. It is an occasion that is at once deeply religious and festive.
The tradition of Fiesta was started in Gloucester by Captain Salvatore Favazza (1881-1973), a native of Favoratta, Sicily, who drew on the customs of his homeland in starting the celebration here. At its core Fiesta is a religious occasion marked by nine days of solemn prayer (called novena) within the Italian fishing community, giving thanks to St. Peter for good fortune at sea. Novena is followed by a formal procession in which a carved wooden statue of St. Peter, commissioned by Captain Favazza in 1926, is carried through the Italian neighborhoods of the City on the shoulders of Gloucester fishermen. ■
Gloucester’s Enduring Festival
Jeanne Linquata, Vito Giacolone and Joe Palmisano, join Cape Ann Museum Board President, Charles Esdaile, Board Clerk, Nina Goodick and Director, Oliver Barker in conversation about the import of the St. Peter’s Fiesta to the Cape Ann community as well as a discussion about how Fiesta traditions are being kept alive in 2020 despite Fiesta's cancellation. ■
June 27, 2020
Fiesta in the 1930s
Footage for this video comes from a 16mm home movie made by Eleanor Parke Custis in the 1930s. From the Eleanor Parke Custis Collection at the Cape Ann Museum Library & Archives. Music by local musicians Patricia and Marlon Doucette, recorded 2009, used with permission.
Eleanor Parke Custis (1896-1983) was a painter and a fine art photographer. From Washington, D.C., Custis came to Cape Ann with her parents, first staying at the Rockaway Hotel on Rocky Neck. By 1935 she had a studio at Wonsonhurst, a rambling wharf building on the Neck that had been converted into summer apartments and studios to accommodate the burgeoning art colony. ■
The Greasy Pole
Though St. Peter’s Fiesta is a celebration rooted in prayer and spiritual thanksgiving, one of its most popular traditions is the decidedly rowdy Greasy Pole, an unusual competition held during the last three days of the five day festival. This bite-sized documentary by Gloucester natives Emile Doucette, Tom Papows and Michael Pallazola provides a glimpse into the competition’s history and a few of its legends.
Anthony "Matza" Giambanco known as the "Sheriff of the Greasy Pole'' passed away in 2019. He was a 6 time champ and famously walked and slid to the end of the pole, where he stood for a few seconds in triumph before jumping into the water with flag in hand.
CAM Kids: Fiesta Project
Join in on the Fiesta fun with four CAM Kids coloring pages created by our Education Department! Take a picture of your coloring pages once completed and tag us on social media with the hashtag #CAMKidsCreate so we can see your beautiful work!
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