Philadelphia's 'Rocky Day' to expand into 'Rocky' festival this year. Here's what to know
Philadelphia looks to commemorate the famous “Rocky” franchise by bringing a “Rocky” festival to the City of Brotherly Love.
Just before the holidays, Philadelphia celebrated the city’s first “Rocky Day” on Sunday, Dec. 3, the 47th anniversary of the original “Rocky” movie’s release in 1976, according to Rocky Statue.
The event was celebrated outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the bronze statue of Rocky Balboa resides, and featured a guest appearance from Sylvester Stallone, writer and star of the “Rocky” films.
Reports claim thousands of people from around the world traveled to Philly to get in on the “Rocky” action, visiting the iconic filming location and checking out the newly opened Rocky Shop, and now, the city looks to carry on the momentum by establishing a “Rocky” festival.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitors Center Corp., wants to create a multiday celebration showcasing the franchise’s memorable filming locations, events featuring the city’s boxing community and screenings of the “Rocky” movies, along with participation from local restaurants and bars.
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While the event is still in the early stages, the festival could become an annual occurrence as the city leads into the 50th anniversary of the franchise in 2026, highlighting a year-round attraction that brings in an estimated 4 million visitors annually, Lovell said in an interview with Philly Voice.
"I think what we don't understand is that what Sylvester Stallone created was a fairy tale — a fable," Lovell told Philly Voice. "He wrote an allegory and that's what this is to the rest of the world. It's not just a Hollywood movie. It holds a much deeper meaning and it is symbolic of what the American dream is."
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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Philadelphia looks to host 'Rocky' festival honoring films this year
