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

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