Philadelphia kicks off 50th anniversary of Rocky with new film and events
The city is hosting a month of activities, including a new shuttle service and a timed run challenge, alongside the release of the sequel.
By Nathaniel Hayes ·
Philadelphia is marking the 50th anniversary of the Rocky film franchise with a series of events in November. The release of the new movie, titled I Play Rocky, in select theaters on Friday serves as the catalyst for the month-long celebration.
A free, Rocky-themed golf cart shuttle will debut on Friday. The vehicle will transport fans to the statue at the top of the Art Museum steps. The shuttle will operate on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through November 29.
Visit Philly will host a timed running competition on Saturday. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and invites participants to attempt to run the museum steps in under 12 seconds. This target time matches the duration of Rocky's run in the original film.
Guided tours are also scheduled for select dates in November. These tours, branded as Rocky Tours, will take participants to the real locations where specific movie scenes were filmed. Actors and the director of the new film visited local news studios earlier in the week to promote the upcoming release.
A special re-dedication ceremony will occur on Friday, November 13. The event will mark the permanent installation of the statue on the Art Museum steps. The ceremony will be followed by a free concert by Philly Pops featuring music from the franchise. Organizers will also attempt a Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Rocky.
