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Stallone Hands Over Original Rocky Statue to Philadelphia Museum for December Festival

In an unexpected ceremony, Sylvester Stallone donated his beloved Rocky statue to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The bronze figure will sit atop the museum during RockyFest this December, where…

Sylvester Stallone attends the "Sly" premiere during the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival
(Photo by Brian de Rivera Simon/Getty Images)
In an unexpected ceremony, Sylvester Stallone donated his beloved Rocky statue to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The bronze figure will sit atop the museum during RockyFest this December, where it'll stay until the end of 2024. The winter event runs for six days beginning December 3rd. Visitors can take guided tours, catch movie screenings, and attend special events celebrating Rocky's impact on Philly. The existing statue remains in its usual place at the bottom of the steps. People can follow Rocky's footsteps through the city on guided walks. Every evening features screenings of all the Rocky movies back-to-back.

"This statue represents everything that the Rocky films stand for: resilience, heart, and the unbreakable bond between Rocky and the people of Philadelphia," Stallone said, getting emotional as he thanked fans for sticking with him for nearly 50 years.

Talking about the city's favorite underdog, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation CEO Kathryn Ott Lovell connected Rocky's determination to Philadelphia's tough spirit. The new statue's placement matches exactly where movie fans saw it in Rocky III. Philadelphia Museum of Art CEO Sasha Suda talked about the special connection between their building and Rocky's story. The famous steps became a worldwide landmark after the 1976 movie showed Rocky's victory run.

For the first time, two Rocky statues will stand at this historic spot. While one stays put where tourists take pictures, its twin will look down from above — giving visitors a double shot of Philadelphia's fighting spirit through the end of the year.

Source: phl17.com

Rachel Pitts is a seasoned radio veteran with over 20 years of experience. She is the Digital Program Director for Beasley Media Group’s Philadelphia-based radio properties. As a content creator for Beasley Media Philadelphia, Rachel writes articles on family activites, culinary adventures and things to do in the Delaware Valley.