Jordan, N.Y. — In a decades-old tradition, kids and adults gathered around two different greased poles Sunday with one objective in mind: get to the top in the shortest amount of time. The poles, slathered in shortening, are the centerpiece of the 3-day Jordan Fall Festival.
The tradition was born in the 1990s, started by Brian Wheeler and David Young, who were inspired by a similar event at the Woodsmen’s Field Days in Boonville.
The adult event involves a 28-foot-pole. As if the slippery surface wasn’t enough of a challenge, the rules are as follows:
A maximum of five participants per team;
Men and women must compete separately;
For support, the person at the bottom may wear a weightlifting belt but nothing else;
The rest of the team may not use any other accessories for assistance.
Aside from bragging rights, the first-place team took home $500; second place $300; third place $200.
The children’s event — which featured the most determined and fun-loving kids we’ve ever seen — involved a slanted pole much lower to the ground.
Now in its 79th year, the Jordan Fall Festival includes rides and live entertainment, pumpkin painting, wagon rides, craft and merchant tents, a used book sale, chicken barbecue and fishing demonstrations. The event raises money for the Jordan-Elbridge community.