Creator: James Burnham; Joe Palmisano
Dates:   
Quantity: 47 manuscript boxes, 0 containers
Acquisition:  Donated by: James Burnham and Joe Palmisano of the Young Men’s Coalition, 2005.
Identification: A64; Archive Collection #64
Citation: [Document Title]. The St. Peter’s Fiesta Photographic Collection, [Box #, Folder #, Item #], Cape Ann Museum Library & Archives, Gloucester, MA.
Copyright: Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be addressed to the Librarian/Archivist.
Language: English
Finding Aid:  Peter Brown, 2008; supervised by Stephanie Buck, Librarian/Archivist

 

The St. Peter’s Fiesta had its origin in Sicilian culture. The late Capt. Salvatore Favazza, having emigrated from Favoratta, Sicily, commissioned a Charlestown sculptor to create a statue of St. Peter in 1892. St. Peter is the patron saint of fishermen. What then began as a local religious celebration in the predominantly Sicilian neighborhoods of the Fort expanded greatly as it grew in popularity. While both the greasy pole contest and seine boat races started in 1931 off Pavilion beach, the fiesta now includes concerts, carnival rides, an expanded procession, various religious services and the blessing of the fleet.

Organized by the St. Peter’s Fiesta Committee, the funding for the fiesta comes from the tradition of pinning paper money to the statue of St. Peter as well as donations from the fishing fleet and revenue from the carnival.

The procession features the 700-pound statue of St. Peter carried on the shoulders of Gloucester fishermen. It is a great honor to carry the statue. Floats of a religious theme, marching bands, fraternal organizations and politicians compete the parade. The statue is transported from its permanent home in the St. Peter’s Club to the outdoor altar especially built to hold it at the start of the five-day event, and carried back to the St. Peter’s Club at midnight on Sunday at the close of the festival.

The actual blessing of the fleet, originally a Portuguese custom, had its local origin from the church of Our Lady of Good Voyage. The blessing has at various times been officiated by Cardinal Cushing, Cardinal Mederios and Cardinal Law.

 

The 640 photographs of the St. Peter’s Fiesta currently held by the Cape Ann Museum represent all of the various components of the festival: the procession, the altar, the novenas, the Blessing of the Fleet, and the Fiesta events. They include the important organizers and participants during the eight decades of its existence.

 

Photos with no box #s

# Subject Date  IDs Box#
33 Greasy Pole   Anthony “Matza” Giambanco  
36 Greasy Pole 1985 Tom Favazza  
102 Altar  1984    
103 Altar       
125     Bishop Greco, Father Sullivan, Mayor French  

 

Numbers in duplicate boxes

# Subject Date  IDs Box#
73 Workers 1950s Progressive Fish Co. 2/4
109 Float     20/23
135 Group 1960s Cardinal Cushing, Father O’Brien 11/23
163 Pie eating contest 1971   22/27
220 Altar   Construction 15/24

 

Box 1

# Subject Date  IDs
9 Novena    
26 Parade   Unknown, Nicole Curcuru, Unknown
27 Float   Salvatore Passittri (sash)
30 Seine Boat Race   Flag winner, Lenny Biondo
50 Seine Boat Race    
190 Float 1930s  
197 Altar 1930s  
198 Altar 1930s  
199 Altar 1935  
200 Float 1940s  
201 Altar 1935  

 

Box 2

# Subject Date  IDs
7 Mass at Altar   Knights of Columbus
13 Commercial St.    
18     Peter Favazza (as St. Peter), Steve D’Amico
43 Seine Boat Race    
47 Greasy Pole   Salve Benson
57 Altar    
59 Greasy Pole    
63     Sam Dimitri, Josephine Santuccio
65 Parade    
66     L-R Ambrose Parisis, Larry Billante, Safie Favalora, Carlo Moceri, Johnny Parisi, Sam Pissimente, Leo Sabbato
67 Event   Front L-R Tommy Ciulla, Tom Randazzo, Benny Frontiero, Peter Asoro, Joe Laiacano. Back L-R Sofie Frontiero, Ambrose Parisi, Sam Randazza, Leo Brancleone, Joe Orlando.
68 Greasy Pole    
69 Seine Boat    
70 Procession   St. Peter at Our Lady of Good Voyage
71 Our Lady of Good    L-R Eddie Tocco, Unknown, Josie Pallazzo, John Parisi
73 Workers 1950s Progressive Fish Co.
76 Ma Verga 1990s Waving to parade on her birthday

 

Box 3

# Subject Date  IDs
4     Bishop Irwin, Father Sullivan, Charles Lindberg
5 Altar    
6 Altar    
8 Novena   Mary Favalora, Giavonina “Jennie” Verga
10 Altar    
17 Altar   L-R Louis Pascucci, Unknown, Peter Favazza, Unknown, Unknown, Benjamin Curcuru, Salvatore Favazzo, Leo Linquata, John Chincola, Unknown, Gaspar Contrino
19 Float   Unknown (dk glasses) L-R Ambrose Parisi, John Parisi, Steve D’Amico, Leo Sabota, Sam Pizzmente (dk glasses)
28 Group   Front of St. Peter’s Club
29 Float    
31 Flag   Michael Linquata
32 Greasy Pole    “Red” Curcuru
41 Seine Boat Race   Winners
42 Seine Boat Race    
44 Seine Boat Race   Pavilion Beach
45     Viot Giacalone, Tony Testaverde
46 Greasy Pole    
48 Greasy Pole   Andrew Bertolino
49 Seine Boat Race   Santa Maria - Carlo Palazzola (tiller) Andy Orlando (coxswain)
56     Salvatore & Maria Favazza

 

Box 4

# Subject Date  IDs
51 Greasy Pole   Peter Frontiero
52     L-R Tony Palmisano, Salvatore Favazzo, Unknown, Leo Sabato, Sam Positeri
53     L-R Grace Curcuru, Peter Frontiero, Salvatore Favazza, Eddie Tocco, Lena Saputo
54     L-R Dominic Nicastro, Paula Misuraca, Cathy Roberts, Vita Catonia, Kay Ahearn, Agnes Burnham, Mary Lou Ward, Rosie Verga, Paul Parisi, Mary Gentile. (question on order)
58 Altar    
60 Statue    
61 Altar    
62 St. Peter’s Club    Ladies Auxiliary
72 Crowd 1940s Night
73 Workers 1950s  Progressive Fish Co.
74 Group photo 1947 Fiesta
75     Front L-R Mary Aiello, Grace Filleto, Grace Nicastro

 

Box 5

# Subject Date  IDs
202 Religious 1960s  
203 Altar 1970s Construction
204 Altar 1940s  
205 Float 1980  
206 Float 1980  
207 Poster 1931  
208 Altar 1970s  
209 Boat donations    
210   1980s  
211 Poster 1931  
212 Altar    
213 Altar 1977  
214 Altar    
215 Statue    

 

Box 6

# Subject Date  IDs
184 Dory Race 1990s  
185 Greasy Pole  1980  
186 Amusements 1980s  
187 Float 1950s  
188 Float 1980s  
189 Float 1960s  
191 Float 1929  
192 Altar 1976  
193 Float 1970s  
194 Children 1970s  
195 Crowd 1970s  
196 Crowd 1980s  
233 Dory Race    

 

Box 7

 

# Subject Date  IDs
      562 - 584 unidentified

 

Box 8

# Subject Date  IDs
      585 - 607 unidentified

 

Box 9

# Subject Date  IDs
      608 - 620 unidentified

 

Box 10

# Subject Date  IDs
2 Actor   Church
3 Pontif   Cardinal Cushing
11 Altar   Far L. Capt. Cosmos Marcantonio, Mary Interrante, Rosemary Interrante (dau) Groupe 1st row L-R Katherine Foote, Kathleen Giamanco, Grace Pasquale. 2nd row L-R Katherine Linquata, Mary Gentiel, Lorenzo Gallo
16     Salvatore Favazza. Front sitting L-R Mary Gentile, Kathleen Gianamco. Back L-R Grace Pasquale, Katherine Foote, Rosie Verga, Pimie Biondo
21     L-R Sam Frontiero, Sam Militello (tie), Larry Sabato, Sam Linquata (far R).
22 Group 1970s  
23     L-R Joe Nicastro, Sam Orlando, Nick Novello, Tony Palmisano, John Prisi, Ed Tocco, Sam Favazza
25 Float   Peter Favazza (St. Peter), Sam Favazza (designer)
34 Greasy Pole    
35 Greasy Pole   Winner Joseph Agrosso
37 Seine Boat Race   L-R Leo Branceleone, Joe Laiacano, Sam Randazza (T-shirt), Peter Lazzaro, Benny Frontiero (holding oar), Joe Orlando (behind oar), Unknown (holding flag), Kelly Frontiero

 

Box 11

# Subject Date  IDs
12 Altar    
20     James Frontiero (suspenders)
55     L-R June Curcuru, Mal Orlando, Sam Nicastro, John Parisi, Ambrose Parisi
64 Altar    
130 Parade 1970s  
131 Altar 1930s  
132 Altar 1976 Construction
134 Parade 1972 L-R Joanne Grella, Rosemary Markson, Samantha Scola, Albina Papows
135 Group 1960s Cardinal Cushing, Father O’Brien
136   1950s Salvatore Favazzo
147 Altar 1968  
148 Altar 1960s  

 

Box 12

# Subject Date  IDs
133 Float 1970 Pam Azaro
137     L-R Larry Billante, Ambrose Parisi, Sophia Favalora, Joe Orlando, Carlo Moceri, Joe Cucuru, Jimmy Pissimenti, John Parisi
138 Parade   Band
139 Parade 1940s  
140 Parade 1965  Albina Papows
141 Parade 1960s  
142 Parade 1980s  
143 Altar 1960s  
144 Altar 1930s  
145 Altar 1950  
146 Altar 1940s  
149 Altar 1940s  

 

Box 13

# Subject Date  IDs
234 Seine boats    
235 Greasy Pole    
236 Seine boats    
237 Blessing   St. Peters statue
238 Parade  1940s  
239 Parade  1940s  
240 Parade  1930s  
241 St. Peter Statue    
242 Parade  1980s  
243 Parade  1960s  
244 Parade  1970s  
245 Parade  1930s  
246 Parade  1950s  
247 Float   Children
248 Parade     

 

Box 14

# Subject Date  IDs
249 Parade 1970s St. Peter Statue
250 Parade 1980s Color Guard
251 Float 1970s Children
252 Amusements 1940s  
253 Riot 1973  
254 Seine boats 1950s  
255 Greasy Pole 1950s  
256 Blessing the Fleet 1950s  
257A Greasy Pole 1940s  
257B Greasy Pole 1940s  
258 Greasy Pole 1945  
259 Blessing the Fleet 1980s  
260 Parade 1970s  

Box 15

# Subject Date  IDs
220 Altar   Construction
261 Parade   Spectators
262 Blessing the fleet 1980s  
263 Parade 1950s Route
264 Crowd 1980s  
265 St. Peter’s Club  1960s  
266 Altar    
267 St. Peter Statue    
268 Altar 1950s Night
269 St. Peter Statue 1968  

Box 16

# Subject Date  IDs
270 St. Peter Statue    
271 St. Peter Statue 1970s  
272 Altar 1955  
273 Altar 1950s  
274 Altar    
275 Altar 1948  
276 Blessing the fleet 1990s  
277 Greasy Pole 1990s  
278 Greasy Pole 1970s  
279 Greasy Pole 1984  
280 Greasy Pole 1970s  

 

Box 17

# Subject Date  IDs
      281 - 291 unidentified

 

Box 18

# Subject Date  IDs
      292 - 302 unidentified

 

Box 19

# Subject Date  IDs
      303 -327 unidentified

 

Box 20

# Subject Date  IDs
86 Float    
87 Float    
88     L-R Peter Piscitello, Jimmy Sinagra, George Lumbruno, Joe Sinagra
89 Blessing the Fleet    
96 Altar 1950s  
97 Altar 1973  
98 Altar    
104 Blessing the Fleet   Bishop Greco, Father Dan Sullivan
105     Father Sullivan, Bishop Greco
106 Blessing the Fleet   Charley Lumberg, Mayor French
107     Unknown priest
108     Sal Favazzo, Maria Favazzo, Thomas Favazzo
109 Float    
110 Religious    
163 Pie eating contest 1971  

 

Box 21

# Subject Date  IDs
1 Fiesta Committee 1968 L-R Joseph Linquata, Nicholas Novello. Benjamin Favazza, Sam Miletello
14 Float   Philip Curcuru (Jesus)
15 Float   Mother of Grace Club
24     Sam Favazza
38 Seine Boat Race    
39 Greasy Pole   Winner Salvi Benson, L-R Mitch McGillviary, Frank Frontiero, Bobby “Brother” Agostini, Dan Balbo, Mike Mitchell, Sam Frontiero
40 Greasy Pole   Winner Salvi Benson, L-R Mitch McGillviary, Bobby “Brother” Agostini, Frank Frontiero, Dan Balbo, Mike Mitchell.
81 Float    
82 Float    
83 Float    
84 Float    
85 Float    

 

Box 22

# Subject Date  IDs
77 Altar    
79     Joe Palmisario
109 Float    
112     Children in costume
113 Altar    
114     Bishop Erwin, Father Sullivan
115 Novena    
116     Nina Conti, Bishop Erwin, Paul Conti
117 Altar 1955  
126     Cardinal Cushing
127 Religious 1973  
128 Altar 1980 Construction
129 Altar    

 

Box 23

# Subject Date  IDs
99 Altar    
100     Worker at St. Peter’s Club
101 Altar 1947  
111 Altar   Father Sullivan
119 Altar 1955  
120     L-R Peter Favazza, Benjamin Cucuru, Father Piscetelli, Leo Linquata
121 Altar 1940s  
122 Float   Newspaper article
123 Religious    
124     Bishop Greco
135 Group 1960s Cardinal Cushing, Father O’Brien

 

Box 24

# Subject Date  IDs
216 Altar 1970s Construction
217 Altar 1980  
218 Altar 1948  
219 Altar 1930s  
220 Altar   Construction
221 Statue 1955  
222 Altar 1950  
223 Altar 1979  
224 Altar 1950s  
225 Altar 1980 Construction
226 Crowd 1970  
227 Statue 1981  
228 Crowd 1977  
229 Crowd 1940s  
230     Rose Poma
231 Crowd 1940s  
232 Crowd 1937  

 

Box 25

# Subject Date  IDs
171 Dory Race 1947  
172 Amusements 1969  
173 Greasy Pole 1946  
174 Dory Race 1955  
175 Parade 1950s Indians
176 Altar 1980 Construction
177 Altar 1979 Construction
178 Float 1981  
179 Parade 1962 Altar boys
180 Float 1970s  
181 Float 1980  
182 Float 1980s  

 

Box 26

# Subject Date  IDs
78 Altar    
80 Altar    
90 St. Peter’s Club 1946 Ladies Auxiliary
91     L-R John Parisi, Jimmy Donahue, Salvatore Favazza, Leo Sabato, Catherine Linquata.
92     Salvatore Favazza
93     L-R Ambrose Parisi, Carlo Moceri, John Parisi, Unknown, Leo Sabato
94 Altar 1946  
95 Altar 1940s  
118 Altar 1940s  
151 Greasy Pole 1950s  
152 Dory Race 1979  
153 Amusements 1972  
154 Blessing the Fleet 1970s  

 

Box 27

# Subject Date  IDs
160 Greasy Pole 1980s  
161 Pie eating contest 1971  
162 Pinata 1989  
163 Pie eating contest 1971  
165 Fishing boats 1955  
166 Pie eating contest 1972  
167 Greasy Pole 1980s  
168 Seine Boat 1960s  
169 Dory Race 1980  
170 Altar 1970  
183 Float 1970s  

 

Box 28

# Subject Date  IDs
150 Greasy Pole 1950s  
155 Amusements 1970  
156 Fireworks 1971  
157 Amusements 1980  
158 Greasy Pole 1978 Benny Interanti
159 Greasy Pole 1980s  
164 Dory Race 1950s  
328 Seine Boat races 1990s Spectators
329 Greasy Pole 1947 Johnny Boy
330 Greasy Pole 1980s  
331 Greasy Pole 1979  
332 Dory 1950s  

 

Box 29

# Subject Date  IDs
333 Seine Boat 1950s  
334 Seine Boat 1979  
335 Seine Boat 1948  
336 Seine Boat 1970s  
337 Seine Boat 1960s  
338 Greasy Pole 1947  
339 Greasy Pole 1970s  
340 Spectator Boats 1970s  
341 Greasy Pole 1947 Johnny Boy
342 Greasy Pole 1947 Doley
343 Seine Boat 1989  
344 Seine Boat 1970s  

 

Box 30

# Subject Date  IDs
345 Seine Boat 1970s  
346 Float 1960s St. Peter
347 Greasy Pole 1979  
348 Seine Boat Winners 1970s  
349 Seine Boat Winners 1950s  
350 Seine Boat Winners 1970s  
351 Greasy Pole 1987  
352 Seine Boat 1980 Pinta
353 Seine Boat 1979  
354 Seine Boat 1990s Nina
355 Seine Boat 1940s  
356 Seine Boat 1970s  

 

Box 31

# Subject Date  IDs
357 Seine Boat 1970s  
358 Seine Boat Winners 1980s  
359 Seine Boat Winners 1982  
360 St. Ann’s Church 1955  
361 St. Peter’s Statue 1952  
362 Children’s Float 1980s  
363 Children’s Float 1976  
364 Children’s Float 1961  
365 Parade 1980s  
366 Float 1955 St Ann’s Parish
367 Parade 1950s Children
368 Children’s Float 1970s  
369 Float 1962  

 

Box 32

# Subject Date  IDs
370 Children’s Float 1970s  
371 Dancers 1980s  
372 Parade 1980s Crowd
373 Float 1955  
374 Children’s Float 1960s  
375 Band 1960s  
376 Amusement Ride 1970s  
377 Crowd 1970s  
378 Parade 1960s  
379 Float 1970s  
380 Children’s Float 1970s  
381 Float 1980s  
382 Float 1950s St. Peter

 

Box 33

# Subject Date  IDs
383 Children’s Float 1980s  
384 Children’s Float 1960  
385 Parade 1950  
386 Children’s Float 1950s  
387 Marching Band 1950s  
388 Children’s Float 1946  
389 St. Peter’s Statue 1970s  
390 Float 1962  
391 St. Peter’s Float 1955  
392 Choir 1955  
393 St. Peter’s Statue 1980  
394 Choir 1973  

 

Box 34

# Subject Date  IDs
395 Marching Band 1950s  
396 St. Peter’s Float 1950s  
397 Greasy Pole 1981  
398 Seine Boat Race 1980s  
399 Seine Boat Winners 1970s  
400 Seine Boat Race 1980  
401 Greasy Pole 1972  
402 Seine Boat Winners 1974  
403 Merry Go Round 1980s  
404 Seine Boat 1980  
405 Dance 1980  
406 Pie Eating Contest 1980s  
407 Sack Race 1980  

 

Box 35

# Subject Date  IDs
408 Seine Boat 1961 Cosmo Marcantonio
490 Crowd 1950s St. Peter’s Statue
410 Ted Kennedy  1962  
411 Children’s Float 1975  
412 Seine Boat Race 1980  
413 Dory Boat Race 1950s  
414 Seine Boat  1970s  
415 Seine Boat  1960s  
416 Greasy Pole 1972 Sal Scola
417 Dance 1980  
418 Watermelon Eating Contest 1980s  
419   1972  
420 Carnival 1980s Assembling rides

 

Box 36

# Subject Date  IDs
      421 - 433 unidentified

 

Box 37

# Subject Date  IDs
      435 - 446 unidentified

 

Box 38

# Subject Date  IDs
      447 - 459 unidentified

 

Box 39

# Subject Date  IDs
      460 - 463 unidentified
464 Veterans   Nat Misuraca (center), Peter Favazza (Far R)
      465 - 472 unidentified

 

Box 40

# Subject Date  IDs
      473 - 484 unidentified

 

Box 41

# Subject Date  IDs
      485 - 497 unidentified

 

Box 42

# Subject Date  IDs
      498 - 510 unidentified

 

Box 43

# Subject Date  IDs
      511 - 523 unidentified

 

Box 44

# Subject Date  IDs
      524 - 536 unidentified

 

Box 45

# Subject Date  IDs
      537 - 550 unidentified

 

Box 46

# Subject Date  IDs
      551 - 561 unidentified & Assorted large signs

 

Box 47

# Subject Date  IDs
      Assorted Large Signs