Photos: Sylvester Stallone Visits Philly for Inaugural “Rocky Day” at the Art Museum Steps
“Keep punching!” Despite the miserable weather, fans gathered, dressed up in their Rocky-emblazoned finest, gray sweatsuits and “Italian Stallion” regalia to meet Sly on his big day.
Sylvester Stallone visits the Rocky Shop. / Photography by HughE Dillon
On Philly’s inaugural “Rocky Day,” Sylvester Stallone visited the Art Museum steps and celebrated the grand opening of the new Rocky Shop there. Despite the miserable weather, fans gathered, dressed up in their Rocky-emblazoned finest, gray sweatsuits and “Italian Stallion” regalia. Why December 3rd? Because that’s when the first Rocky film was released in 1976.
Chevy Chase was there, too. (Fun Philly fact: Chase went to Haverford College but didn’t graduate. Campus legend was that he was expelled for leading a cow upstairs in his freshman dorm. There’s no actual proof this happened.)
Also on site? A Rocky-themed SEPTA Festibus!
(If you missed it, you can catch it around LOVE Park this weekend.)
The Rocky-themed SEPTA Festibus / Photographs by Laura Swartz
Stallone took to the stage and received a key to the city. “Standing at the top of these steps, you’re reminded that all things are possible,” he said to fans. “Keep punching!”
He mentioned he had gone inside PMA and met with its CEO and director Sasha Suda — and that it was the first time he had actually been inside the museum. Although the steps are a wonderful landmark showcasing the city, Stallone said, it would be his mission going forward to get more people to continue on through the doors, too.
Located at the base of the Art Museum steps, the Rocky Shop is now open five days a week, selling officially licensed merch from the Rocky franchise, including apparel, action figures and other souvenirs.
Stallone will be contributing his proceeds from the sale of his merchandise to help restore the steps — more than 4 million people run up them yearly, inspired by his iconic run.
