logo
What it's like to participate in Greasing of the Poles

What it's like to participate in Greasing of the Poles

Axios03-03-2025

Every once in a while, an opportunity comes along to do something totally off-the-wall, and I always try to say yes. So, when the Royal Sonesta team asked if I'd be up to participate in its annual Greasing of the Poles, I jumped in with both feet.
Why it matters: Life is too short. Get greasy.
Catch up quick: The Bourbon Street hotel started greasing its poles 55 years ago to keep overeager Mardi Gras revelers from climbing up onto its balconies.
Over time, the tradition became competition.
The hotel now taps four local celebrities to compete in greasing. It's mostly about bragging rights but also comes with a nice, engraved bottle of Champagne.
This year's competitors included me, plus Fleurty Girl founder Lauren Haydel, food influencer Evelyn Bories and bounce king HaSizzle.
What you asked: In the run-up to the big day last Friday, the No. 1 question I got asked was "How did they pick you?"
The short answer? I asked.
As a longtime friend of mine says, "Don't ever be afraid to ask." So, early last fall, I sent a note to the Royal Sonesta inquiring how people get chosen to compete.
The answer, more or less, was an invitation.
On the big day, I invited my best friend and my sister along to help me in my performance, which included a brief song and dance before the greasing began.
We picked Britney Spears' "Gimme More," which we paired with newspaper/alligator themed-costumes and strutted our stuff.
At greasing time, each of us competitors climbed a ladder held stable by a 610 Stomper and a Merry Antoinette. We got a branded vat of Vaseline, and we were off.
Zoom in: It's stunning how a 2-minute performance can feel both very long and incredibly short.
I laughed, I danced, I shimmied, I shook, I rubbed a stuffed alligator tail on a Vaseline-covered iron pole and then I laughed some more.
In the end, Haydel was declared the 2025 Greasing of the Poles champion.
😏 She's an Axios New Orleans reader, too; I wouldn't want to lose to anyone else.
And I did get my own bottle that named me the "People's Choice" winner. It wasn't announced on stage, but who cares?! I'll take it!
The bottom line: This is your reminder.
Sometimes, you just gotta go for it.
Go deeper: Watch a replay of Greasing of the Poles.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sweet Pride Alabama: Celebrating LGBTQ+ lives in the Deep South
Sweet Pride Alabama: Celebrating LGBTQ+ lives in the Deep South

Yahoo

time8 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Sweet Pride Alabama: Celebrating LGBTQ+ lives in the Deep South

For two weeks each year, Birmingham, Alabama's streets fill with rainbow hues. In place of the usual traffic, crowds of people in vivid colors flood Seventh Avenue to the edges of the sidewalks. They inch as close as possible to floats and cars in the annual Pride parade — a Mardi Gras-style celebration complete with costumes, flags, and balloons. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. Birmingham's first organized Pride event, Central Alabama Pride, has continued to show up for queer communities for nearly 50 years, bringing light into an otherwise dark place. In recognition of its significance, the organization has been awarded The Advocate's Communities of Pride Award, which honors a group that upholds the spirit of Pride by fostering connections between LGBTQ+ people from all walks of life. 'I'm beyond honored to receive The Advocate's Communities of Pride Award. In a time when LGBTQ+ people – especially in the South – are under attack, this recognition means everything to us,' says Central Alabama Pride President Josh Coleman. 'It says our work matters, our communities matter, and we're not going anywhere.' 'Getting to share this moment on The Kelly Clarkson Show was so surreal, but it also shows just how far we've come. Pride in Central Alabama isn't just a celebration, it really is a fight to be seen, to be safe, and to belong,' Coleman adds. 'For every young person in Alabama who feels like there's no place for them, I hope this moment reminds them that there is and that we're fighting every day to make it safer, louder, and prouder.' Central Alabama Pride began as a 'Day in the Park' get-together on June 24, 1979. Now in its 47th year, Pride in the city has evolved into a 15-day series of events attended by more than 20,000 people each June. While Pride events are often associated with large, liberal cities, Alabama has an estimated 173,000 LGBTQ+ adults, making up 4.6 percent of the population. This may be one of the smallest queer populations in the U.S., but the sea of people in Birmingham each year can't be written off as insignificant. 'Celebrating Pride in the Deep South is an act of courage, resistance, and love,' Coleman says. 'It's not just about rainbow flags and parades. It's about affirming our right to exist, thrive, and be visible in spaces that haven't always welcomed us. In states like Alabama, where LGBTQ+ rights are often under attack, Pride is a declaration that we're not going anywhere.' Alabama, which has seen seven anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced so far in 2025, has one of the worst track records for queer rights. The state incorrectly defines sex as exclusively male or female, and it prohibits transgender people from using public facilities that align with their identities. The Republican legislature has banned lifesaving gender-affirming care for youth, though it permits the discredited and harmful practice of so-called conversion therapy. The state also has a "don't say gay" law restricting the discussion of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms. It has barred trans students from participating in sports or using school facilities that most align with their gender identity, and it requires staff to out queer students to their parents or guardians. The weight of these laws doesn't reflect on the faces of the people who flock to Birmingham. The crowds cheer and applaud as floats with drag queens, advocacy groups, and local businesses roll by in an unabashed celebration of queer lives. For Coleman, Pride is 'a moment for our community to come together, celebrate our progress, and demand better.' 'We build and protect rural LGBTQ+ communities by showing up – consistently and intentionally. It starts with listening to local voices, providing resources, and making sure no one feels isolated,' Coleman says. 'Visibility is critical: When people in small towns see representation – whether it's a Pride event, a drag show, or a youth group – they start to feel less alone.' 'We also have to fight for policies that protect LGBTQ+ people everywhere, not just in big cities,' he continues. 'At Central Alabama Pride, we're committed to reaching beyond Birmingham and supporting our rural neighbors through partnerships, education, and advocacy. Because every LGBTQ+ person, no matter their zip code, deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported.'

31st Mardi Gras celebration coming to downtown Sioux City
31st Mardi Gras celebration coming to downtown Sioux City

Yahoo

time03-06-2025

  • Yahoo

31st Mardi Gras celebration coming to downtown Sioux City

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Mardi Gras will be returning to downtown Sioux City for the 31st time later this summer. This year's Sioux City Mardi Gras Parade, presented by State Steel, will be taking place on July 3. Story continues below Top Story: OSHA has set fines for workplace death in January Lights & Sirens: Nebraska officials find 25 lbs of drugs during I-80 stop Sports: Local IHSAA State Quarterfinal soccer scoreboard Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here This year's parade features an updated route that will take place along the Riverfront. The parade will start at the Wesley Parkway bridge and head east on Larson Park Road. It will also make its way along the Anderson Dance Pavilion and end at the Chris Larsen Yoga Lawn. The parade will kick off at 6 p.m., and many Mardi Gras bead necklaces will be thrown to crowds during the parade. If you're interested in participating in the parade, registration is still open. You can register by visiting the Tyson Event Center's website, by visiting the Primebank Box Office in person, or by calling 712-279-4850. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Britney Spears for Balenciaga Music Is Just the Nostalgia We Needed
Britney Spears for Balenciaga Music Is Just the Nostalgia We Needed

Hypebeast

time03-06-2025

  • Hypebeast

Britney Spears for Balenciaga Music Is Just the Nostalgia We Needed

Summary ForDemna's finalBalenciagacollection, the Spring 2026 Exactitudes range, the designer is bridging the gap between music and high fashion with none other than The Princess of Pop herself. 'Britney Spears for Balenciaga Music' is a healthy serving of Y2K nostalgic that crosses multiple mediums, consisting of a limited-edition series of ready-to-wear apparel and accessories as part of the mainline seasonal release, as well as an exclusive playlist curated by Spears herself. The playlist features house musician BFRND remixes of 'Oops!…I Did It Again' and 'Gimme More' followed up by Madonna and Spears' 'Me Against The Music,' Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing' and Janet Jackson's 'That's The Way Love Goes.' 'Britney is a trailblazer, she defined pop music and inspired generations of artists, reworking her legacy is a great honor,' said BFRND. The French composer's remixes of the classic cuts are packaged on streaming services as theBritney4EverEP. 1. Oops I Did It Again (BFRND Remix)2. Gimme More (BFRND Remix)3. Madonna x Britney Spears – Me Against The Music4. Whitney Houston – I Have Nothing5. Janet Jackson – That's The Way Love Goes As for the apparel offering, Balenciaga brings archival imagery by Rankin and Steven Klein to life across a lineup of T-shirts, zip-up hoodies, and silk twill flags. 'I have always loved fashion and was so honored and excited Balenciaga and Demna chose to collaborate with me on Demna's last collection with the House,' Spears said in a statement. 'I hope my fans love it as much as I do! These are some of my favorite images from such an amazing time in my career and life, and I'm so excited to share it with everyone.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store