By Amanda Kilmer:
“How hard is it, exactly, to climb a thirty-five foot pole covered in grease,” you may be wondering. Well, this weekend, you could get your answer. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday [July 8, 9, 10] is the 42nd annual Grease Pole Festival located at 261 Swan Street, at the corner of Chicago and Swan.
The Grease Pole Festival holds true to its Puerto Rican roots and is a free event to those who want to enjoy some local Hispanic flavor. Thousands of people are expected to come out and party into the night to the live sounds of reggaeton, salsa, bachata, and meringue. In the past, bands have come to play at “El Paolo Ensebao” from Texas, New York City, Rochester, and Orlando, as well as bands from our own Queen City.
It’s not only about the food, games, music, and dancing, though. The main event is more packed than an empanada; there’s standing room only. And stand you will while you watch a team of five members try to reach the top of the greased pole, where traditional prizes such as empty cans and sausages are sitting on a ‘T.’ The teams don’t climb to the top just for some cans and sausages; there’s also a cash prize for the winner as well as custom-made t-shirts.
And, who are we kidding, we are all suckers for a good free t-shirt.
So, tap into your inner Latino, roll your “Rs,” and show your support for Buffalo’s rich Hispanic culture this weekend with a little [elbow] grease.
Visit Facebook for an updated schedule of this year’s events.