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