PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Fans of Rocky Balboa are gearing up to celebrate the beloved fictional boxer who has inspired many since the release of the first film nearly 50 years ago. Whether it’s by bus, ice skates, or tackling the famous 72 steps, supporters are eager to honor Philadelphia’s iconic champion, who continues to symbolize perseverance against the odds.
In an exciting development, Philadelphia has officially declared a week dedicated to honoring the world’s favorite box office heavyweight, following the success of last year’s inaugural Rocky Day at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s steps.
The festivities, branded as RockyFest, commenced with the Rocky Bus Tour over the weekend, leading up to the main event on December 3 — the date the original “Rocky” film was released in 1976. Area elementary school students kicked things off by running up the iconic Rocky steps.
As the week unfolds, Rocky will be celebrated through various events, including a mural unveiling, movie marathons, RockyU discussions that delve into the character’s lasting impact, look-alike contests, and guided bus tours that take fans throughout the city. These tours include stops at significant locations, such as Adrian and Paulie’s fictional graves, the Italian Market where Rocky trained, and the exterior of Mighty Mick’s Gym.
“If no one has seen the movie,” noted the tour guide Adam Clements, “there will be spoilers.”
Thrilled fans have the opportunity to recreate the romantic moment between Rocky and Adrian with an outing at a local ice rink. It’s hard to believe that it took so long for Philadelphia to adequately honor Rocky and the other movies in this iconic series, which also includes the three “Creed” installments.
Rocky is now an integral part of Philadelphia’s identity, as important to the city’s fabric as the Liberty Bell and its Founding Fathers. At the base of the museum steps, long lines frequently form in front of the Rocky statue, with movie clips — often featuring Adrian’s famous plea for Rocky to win — shown repeatedly at sporting events. The rousing theme “Gonna Fly Now” plays before Eagles games, and an annual 50-kilometer race faithfully follows Rocky’s legendary training route, honoring the spirit of their champion.
Nearby, a merchandise stand caters to fans, offering everything from “Italian Stallion” robes to plush dolls of Clubber Lang, contrasting with the works of artists like Paul Cézanne and Claude Monet hanging in the museum.
While previous events drew appearances from notable actors like Sylvester Stallone and Michael B. Jordan, this year, no stars are expected to attend. Stallone, now 78, made an appearance at the rainy Rocky Day last year and expressed gratitude toward the city for contributing to the character’s success, stating, “These 72 steps inspire me… you just keep punching.”
Recognized for its cinematic achievements, the original “Rocky” won an Oscar for Best Picture and was honored in 2020 as one of the top sports films by the AP Top 25.
The Philadelphia Visitors Center initiated RockyFest, which runs through December 8. This celebration aims to shine a light on the film series and its sites beyond the iconic bronze statue, addressing a previous gap in visitor services that welcomed numerous tourists who wished to pay homage to Rocky.
Maita Soukup of the Philadelphia Visitor’s Center explained, “For years, tourists coming to see the Rocky statue found a lack of resources; that’s why we wanted to create a dedicated visitor’s center.” After reaching out to collaborate with Stallone, this partnership became a reality.
If the inaugural festival proves successful, there will surely be more events in the future, akin to Rocky’s sequels.
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