Gloucester’s 99th annual St. Peter’s Fiesta opened Friday evening, drawing residents and visitors to the historic fishing city for a weekend of traditional events celebrating the community’s Italian heritage and maritime roots. The festival, held annually on the weekend nearest June 29 to coincide with the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul, honors St. Peter, the patron saint of fishermen, shipbuilders, and netmakers.

Key events scheduled throughout the weekend include the seine boat races on Saturday and Sunday at Pavilion Beach, featuring three vessels named the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria. Another highlight is the renowned Greasy Pole competition, where contestants attempt to seize a flag from the end of a long, slippery pole extending over Gloucester Harbor.

St. Peter’s Park serves as the festival’s hub, hosting carnival rides, food vendors, and live entertainment that will entertain attendees from the festival’s start on Wednesday through its conclusion on Sunday. Sunday’s program begins at 10 a.m. with a Mass held at a large altar erected in the park. Later at noon, a procession featuring several bands and floats will carry a statue of St. Peter through Gloucester’s streets.

At 3 p.m., the traditional blessing of the fleet will take place on Stacey Boulevard, where fishing and recreational boats will be blessed by clergy. This year’s blessing holds particular significance as it is the first since the sinking of the Lily Jean in January, an incident that led to the deaths of all seven crew members.

The festival will wrap up Sunday evening with additional music and entertainment, culminating in a closing procession at 11 p.m. The event continues to be a major draw, reflecting Gloucester’s enduring connection to its fishing heritage and the cultural traditions of its Italian-American community.