St. Peter’s Fiesta, held in June, is a celebration of the city’s commercial fishing and faith, that has grown to become a city-wide party in Gloucester, MA. The celebration offers parades of statues, icons through the streets, Seine boat races, the blessing of the city’s commercial fishing fleet, Masses, nine evenings of prayer, a carnival and the greasy pole contest. The festival is sponsored by the Italian American community in Gloucester, Massachusetts
The 5-day festival honoring St. Peter, patron saint of all fishermen. He became one of Jesus’ first followers and is considered the Catholic Church’s first pope. Shared below from stpetersfiesta.org is this year’s schedule of events:
Wednesday, June 22
7:00–10:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment….St. Peter’s Park:
Entertainment featuring “BARRY MOONEY”
Thursday, June 23
6:30 p.m.
Fiesta 5K Road Race – with Cape Ann YMCA
Starting location Stage Fort Park,
Finish line at St. Peter’s Park.
For further details, contact the Cape Ann YMCA.
8:00 p.m.
Entertainment, Live Music and Dance at St. Peter’s Park
Featuring ….. “WILDFIRE”
Friday, June 24
4:45 p.m.
Greasy Pole Contest…and…Women’s Seine Boat Races
Pavilion Beach
6:30 p.m.
Entertainment….Before Opening Ceremony
7:30 p.m.
Formal Opening ….St. Peter’s Square
Entertainment immediately following
8:30 – 11:30 p.m.
featuring “MORENO FRUZZETTI”
Saturday, June 25
10:00 a.m
Pavilion Beach… Seine Boat Race:
U.S. Coast Guard vs Gloucester
Fire Department and Gloucester Police Department
10:00 a.m.
Playtime performance of our Children’s story book
“Nonna, What is St. Peter’s Fiesta?”
Location: TBD
3:00 p.m.
Children’s Games…. Beach Court
4:45 p.m.
Sports Events… Pavilion Beach
Seine Boat Races & Greasy Pole Contest
8:00 p.m.
Musical Entertainment…St. Peter’s Square
featuring “FRANCO CORSO”
Sunday, June 26
10:00 a.m.
Celebration of MASS OF ST. PETER
at St. Peter’s Park
12:00 noon
Procession following the Celebration of Outdoor Mass
3:00 p.m
Blessing of the Fleet… Stacy Boulevard.
4:45 p.m.
Sports Events…at Pavilion Beach
Seine Boat Races & Greasy Pole Contest
7:15 p.m.
Awards Ceremony
Trophies awarded to winners of the Sports Events
8:30 p.m.
Musical Entertainment
St. Peter’s Park featuring
“ GRAZIANA LAZZARO and ELIO SCACCIO”
11:00 p.m.
Raffle Drawings and Closing Procession
St. Peter’s Fiesta Children’s Book “Nonna, what is St. Peter’s Fiesta” will be on sale at the Main Stage Altar throughout the Fiesta weekend.
Hero image photo credit: stpetersfiesta.org & Discover Gloucester
