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

Axios

03-03-2025

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.