PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s Rocky Day in Philadelphia. The city is celebrating in a special way as they honor the beloved fictional hero who brought Philly’s grit to the big screen. The movie was released on Dec. 3, 47 years ago.
Hundreds of “Rocky” fans braved the rain on Sunday to pack an iconic city landmark — the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s front steps, made famous in the movie.
That included Christopher Middleton, an amateur boxer and “Rocky” lover.
“It’s raining so, you know, I’m dedicated to be out here in the rain. Looking forward to seeing Rock in person,” he said. “It’s a good day.”
Afterward, Middleton said, he’d go score some cheesesteaks.
“It feels like being at Disneyland as a kid,” said fan Nick Mancini. “I’ve been watching Rocky since I was 10 years old. I’m 27 now, so 17 years he’s been in my life.”
Philadelphia Visitor Center Corp. President and CEO Kathryn Ott Lovel said the day also marks the grand opening of Rocky Shop at the Parkway Visitor Center outpost in front of the museum.
“They can take a piece of that story and that spirit home with them — but they also can get information about the city of Philadelphia to enhance their experience here. You can get maps, you can get brochures,” she said. “You can hop on the flash right outside and travel down to the historic district or to the waterfront or to West Fairmount Park.”
And what official “Rocky” party would be complete without the man, himself? Sylvester Stallone was there, and he gave an impassioned dedication to the crowd: “To all of you, who are real-life Rockys, because you live your life on your own terms and you try to do the best you can, and you keep punching.”
City officials presented Stallone with a key to the city.
“I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart — and Rocky’s too.”