PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Thousands of people flocked to the annual South Ninth Street Italian Market Festival over the weekend for food, music, community, and the spectacle of people slipping and falling during the fabled greased-pole climb.
As the first brave souls took a crack at scaling the greased pole in Piazza DiBruno on Saturday, onlookers chanted their names and cheered.
“We need a strategy!” someone shouted.
For those making the attempt in front of hundreds of people, advice comes all the time and from everywhere.
The greased-pole climb is a time-honored tradition at the Italian Market Festival. There are cured meats and prizes of all kinds awaiting those who, through cooperation, strategy and sheer grit, reach the top.
“I don’t think I’m gonna be out there, but I hope someone gets it,” said Greg Angiolillo from Drexel Hill.
“This is my first time — shockingly, given the last name.”
He and his friends had high praise for the street food, including arancini balls and tacos.
The festival’s food offerings are toward the top of the list for Danielle, who said she has been coming with her family for the past 15 years. “We like the porchetta, and the cannoli of course,” she said.
“Sausage and peppers,” said her daughter, Mia.
The festival has become a tradition that she’s not stopping anytime soon. Danielle says the history of Philly’s largest block party is important to her — “just the heritage and the longevity of the festival and the longevity of Ninth Street in general, and just the historical value of everything that comes along with being in South Philly.”