By Vladimir Brezina
This week’s Photo Challenge is Carefree.
Any guesses where, and what, this is?
Answer:
It’s the Greasy Pole in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
From Wikipedia:
The Greasy Pole Contest takes place every year during St. Peter’s Fiesta in Gloucester, Massachusetts. During this time, many young men try their luck at walking down a greased, wooden pole in the middle of Gloucester Harbor. The goal is to be the first person to grab the red flag at the end of the pole.
The Greasy Pole competition originated in Sicily in the 19th century or earlier, and was brought to Gloucester by the Italian immigrant population of fishermen in the early 20th century. The object is to walk across a greased pole protruding from a platform about 200 yards from shore. This platform, depending on the tide, can be anywhere from 10–25 ft above the water. The pole, which hangs over the water, is 45 feet long, and only about as wide as a standard telephone pole. This pole is then heavily greased with biodegradable axle grease mixed with anything from Tabasco sauce to oil, banana peels, and various other slippery objects. A red flag (or sometimes the Italian Flag with a red flag underneath it) is then nailed to the very end of the pole. The idea is to run out on the heavily greased pole and try to grab the flag before slipping and falling into the water. About 40 or 50 men between age 18–60 go out from Pavilion Beach in Gloucester MA during the St. Peter Fiesta, the last weekend of June. They walk the pole one at a time in a pre-determined order. Generally, the men are of Italian descent, although the walkers may include all nationalities. Because of the popularity of the event, there are strict rules as to who is eligible to walk on Sunday. The event is currently held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 4:45PM.
But this was in July. The Greasy Pole was deserted, except for these few kids out to have some fun… or maybe get a leg up on the competition for when they turn eighteen ;-)
The first Carefree post was here.
Vladimir Brezina (RIP) 
Johna Till Johnson
Wind Against Current 
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Uff, a difficult jump! Good shot!
Cheers,
Rafael
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It’s like falling off a log! ;-)
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Ha ha, Then if they slip they have to prepare for a good slap on the water! ;)
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Yes, that is the penalty for slipping! :-)
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I don’t know where it is but it sure looks like fun!
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On a hot summer day, at least :-)
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Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Carefree (Utah Beach Camping) | What's (in) the picture?
Wow, this fits the prompt perfectly! :)
PS: A new photo challenge – you are welcome to participate! http://esengasvoice.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/eses-weekly-shoot-quote-challenge/
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Thanks, Ese! An intriguing challenge—I’ll see what I can come up with :-)
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Lovely series of photos. Looks like a lot of fun!
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You get to show off in front of your friends—that may not be exactly carefree—and then you go for a refreshing swim :-)
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No idea where or what this is, but Im not sure I would feel carefree up there on the giant plank!
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I think it’s the peer pressure that makes this less carefree than it could be :-)
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And I believe it’s not a flat plank—that would be easier—but a rounded pole…
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Oh my, now I feel even less carefree!
Put me in water down below without any of the jumping off rounded poles and Im very carefree :-)
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And for special occasions the pole is even greased!
There, that will give it away… :-)
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I guess it is a rig on off shore and the pipe. I don’t have any idea where it is. Truly nice shot. :-)
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Looks that way, doesn’t it? But not quite. All will be revealed in due course ;-)
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nice take on the challenge.. wonderful shots!
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Thanks!!
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It looks like a piling to replace an old one or to build a new area.. That’s a great series of images, and it fits ‘Carefree’ well!
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No, it was built just for the purpose illustrated—except on much more formal occasions. These kids are just sneaking in while nobody is looking…
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how fun! your series of photos was fun!
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Where is that? I hope not the hudson or the east river! Looks otherwise like fun!
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No, not in NYC… but it is on the US East Coast…
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this kind of carefree is not for the faint of heart! :)
but those participating look like they are having fun. thanks for sharing. no idea where this is….
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They are kids, so they have no sense ;-)
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not ever something i would…or could…do…seeing as i’m not a swimmer… :(
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Well, yes, being able to swim is probably important here… ;-)
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Think I might be full of care but lovely shots/light/
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Thanks! :-)
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I just wonder how carefree the guy is on the right! Is he there of his own free will or is there some group pressure involved? I am just kidding. A beautiful picture, great tones, and a lovely composition.
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There’s always peer pressure when groups of kids are involved… Thanks!! :-)
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I agree! Well captured!
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I’m not sure where it is, but Mama Rosie has the most awesome diving board EVER!
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Except it’s kind of hard to just stand on the end and concentrate for the dive…
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is this the greased pole in gloucester?
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Unfair! You have inside knowledge! :-)
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not that insider. i’ve never ventured out onto the pole . . . although i’ve seen it.
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We’ve never been out on the pole either… could be interesting, one of these years ;-)
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Holy cow ! Did you do this?
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No, we just watched, and took pictures…
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Great shots, but it would most certainly not be carefree for me! :)
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Probably most adults are disqualified ;-)
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:)
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Whoa!
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:-)
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The sea looks cold but it looks like fun. Great photos.
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It wasn’t that cold, fortunately… I took the photos in late July. Thanks!
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Sandy hook?
In any event, YIKES! ;-)
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Not Sandy Hook… But a time-honored practice :-)
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WOW … I hope they can swim. ~~~~ : – )
CAREFREE … to the max.
Fun post
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Yes, they could swim like fish :-) They probably do this every summer…
Thanks, Isadora!!
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Very carefree, Vladimir.
janet
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:-) Thanks, Janet!
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I’m afraid I would not be feeling “carefree” on there!
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Much more carefree after you fell into the water, though! ;-)
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Thanks for the Bulgari like Vlad. Where have you been, or is it me? This picture is NOT carefree in my opinion it is HORRIFYING >..laughs – great capture !
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It was a carefree summer day. What could go wrong? At least there weren’t any sharks in the water below (as far as we know)… ;-)
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Looks like fun to me. :)
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Fun or horrifying? Opinions seem to be split ;-) Thanks, Sheri!
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Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Carefree 2 | Bastet and Sekhmet
Great post! I’d jump!
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Fall off or jump… one or another way you end up in the water! There is no going back… ;-)
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Its more like training for jumping off a ledge from a pirate ship arrrrrr
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Walking the plank! Yes, I think the two share a common origin… ;-)
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