Philadelphia residents embrace their Italian Stallion spirit in Rocky and Adrian impersonation competition

PHILADELPHIA — On Friday, couples who exhibited a comical level of awkwardness both on skates and during their dates gathered to take part in a Rocky and Adrian look-alike competition during the city’s RockyFest.

This special evening event was hosted at the University of Pennsylvania’s 1923 Ice Rink, reminiscent of Rocky Balboa’s first outing with Adrian in the notable 1976 film. While the famed boxer notably never wore ice skates in the iconic scene, he did manage to shuffle beside his friend Paulie’s sister, who struggled to maintain her balance.

The prize for the contest winner included a dinner for two at the renowned Victor Café in South Philadelphia, celebrated for its singing opera waitstaff, along with a hotel stay and a $250 gift certificate for a shop specializing in Rocky memorabilia.

Jason Carrion, a firefighter from New York City, and his wife, Roxanne, secured first place in the contest. Jason expressed their passion as dedicated fans of the franchise, saying, “I wanted to do something because we’re the biggest ‘Rocky’ fans, I think, ever. I mean, just look at us,” as he donned a leather jacket and hat that closely resembled Rocky’s iconic attire.

For Roxanne, the event embodied her ideal date. “I’m going ice skating, going to the ‘Rocky’ steps dressing up, and now we’re going to see ‘Rocky’ film at the movie theater. So this has been the perfect date for us,” she shared enthusiastically. She emphasized the film’s universal appeal, citing its inspirational “underdog” narrative: “It’s an inspirational story that transcends any age or a person, doesn’t it?”

Philadelphia, as the backdrop to the beloved “Rocky” series, has embraced this legacy nearly fifty years later with a festive five-day event that originated from the first Rocky Day celebration in 2023.

Activities throughout the week featured a mural unveiling, movie marathons, discussions about the lasting influence of the Sylvester Stallone character, and a bus tour showcasing iconic locations from the films.

In a notable highlight of the festival, a second casting of the Rocky statue was revealed atop the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, following the original statue that appeared in “Rocky III.” This replica will remain on display until December 31.

Sylvester Stallone remarked in a statement about the statue, saying, “This statue represents everything that the Rocky films stand for: resilience, heart, and the unbreakable bond between Rocky and the people of Philadelphia.”