City of Philadelphia presented resolution of annual “Rocky Day” on December 3, the anniversary of the original movie premiere in 1976
Sylvester Stallone made a special appearance at a grand opening event of the Rocky Shop at the Parkway Visitor Center on Sunday, December 3. The Rocky Shop is the only physical location where visitors and fans can purchase licensed apparel and souvenirs from the Rocky franchise, licensed exclusively by Sly Stallone Shop, the official brand of Sylvester Stallone.
The grand opening event, hosted by the Visitor Center, VISIT PHILADELPHIA® and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, featured a resolution from the City of Philadelphia declaring December 3 “Rocky Day” in Philadelphia. The event commemorated the 47th anniversary of the original premiere of Rocky in 1976.
“This day is an amazing day for me and the people who have taken Rocky into their hearts,” said Sylvester Stallone, Academy Award-nominated actor and screenwriter and Golden Globe Award-winning actor. “When I come to Philly and stand on the steps, it touches my soul like it did when I was a child. This is a very special place in a very special city… Believe me, there’s no other place like it in the world!”
“This film and this character are beloved worldwide, providing an immediate and emotional connection to Philadelphia – thus connecting us to the world. It has become part of our brand. There is something wonderful about walking near the incredible Philadelphia Museum of Art and seeing people running up these steps, turning around at the top, and raising their arms in triumph. We see it every day, all day, all year round,” said Gregg Caren, President and CEO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We embrace Rocky as part of our own story, as part of who we are as a city, and as part of what we give to the world. Philadelphia, as the iconic home to this iconic character called Rocky, gives people a sense of hope, a belief in the impossible, and an opportunity to see themselves as unlikely heroes and champions.”
The Rocky Shop offers an assortment of licensed merchandise from the Sly Stallone Shop, including the Rocky II Tiger Jacket; Rocky III Italian Stallion Training Jacket; Rocky II Boxing Trunks; Rocky III Yellow Boxing Trunks; Rocky III Italian Stallion Boxing Robe; Rocky IV Stars and Stripes Boxing Trunks; Rocky IV Balboa Boxing Robe; Rocky Philadelphia T-Shirts; Rocky Hats; and additional souvenir items such as collectibles and photo frames. Select items were available for visitors who attended the grand opening event at a satellite Rocky Shop location on The Oval.
The Rocky Shop and The Parkway Visitor Center Outpost have been generously supported by Mr. Stallone, along with contributions from The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, VISIT PHILADELPHIA®, and the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation.
In addition to supporting the establishment of the Parkway Visitor Center Outpost with a $100,000 personal contribution, Mr. Stallone donated his portion of proceeds earned from merchandise sales at the Rocky Shop to support the restoration of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s East Terrace and the famous “Rocky Steps.”
Visitors can stop by the Rocky Shop and Parkway Visitor Center Outpost from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Thursday through Monday for retail, information, and tickets to major city attractions, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and cultural attractions along the Parkway.
About the Philadelphia Museum of Art:
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is a national and international destination for art, but first we are Philadelphia’s Museum of Art – for all the many diverse communities of the city. Through our collections, exhibitions, events, educational activities, celebrations and more, the PMA is a storyteller, and we welcome everyone to be part of the story — our doors are wide open. To learn more, visit www.philamuseum.org.
About the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau:
The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) creates positive economic impact across the Philadelphia region, driving job growth and promoting the health and vibrancy of our hospitality industry by marketing the destination, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and attracting overnight visitors. The PHLCVB’s work engages our partners, the local Philadelphia community as well as culturally and ethnically diverse regional, national, and international convention, sporting event and tourism customers. The PHLCVB is also the official tourism promotion agency for the city of Philadelphia globally and is responsible for growing the number of overseas leisure visitors who come to the region each year. To learn more, visit DiscoverPHL.com.
