Now is the time that VisitingNewEngland.com readers are thinking, “What fun activities can I do with my family to kick off the summer, at not too high a cost?”

On the North Shore of Massachusetts, there’s the famed St Peter’s Fiesta in Gloucester, June 22-26. St. Peter’s Fiesta is an annual celebration by the Italian-American fishing community of Gloucester to honor St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen.

A highlight of the annual St. Peter’s Fiesta is the Greasy Pole contest. A 45 ft telephone pole is fastened to a platform, extending out over the water. A red flag is then nailed to a stick at the end of the pole which is then heavily greased. One by one, contestants (many in costumes) take turns trying to tear off the makeshift flag pole before slipping and falling into the water. But there’s much, much more!  St. Peter’s Fiesta also includes music, food, carnival rides, a parade and religious activities culminating with the Blessing of the Fishing Fleet near the Fishermen’s Memorial Statue on Sunday afternoon.

Log onto the St. Peter’s Fiesta Web Site for more information, including directions.

Editor’s note: thanks to Lauren Van Dam, of Matter Communications, for alerting us to this fun-sounding event!