PHILADELPHIA – Rocky Balboa fans are willing to go the distance – by bus, on skates, 72 steps – to honor Philly’s favorite fictional fighter, nearly 50 years after the release of the first film, the long-running series about an underdog boxer, who perseveres despite all odds.

Yo, Adrian, Philly finally did it!

The city that Rocky finally called home is dedicating a week to the box-office heavyweight champion, a year after the first Rocky Day on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

It’s Rocky, so of course there’s a sequel.

This year it’s RockyFest.

The Rocky Bus Tour served as the first round over the weekend before the festival properly laced up its gloves and area elementary school students ran up the Rocky Stairs on Tuesday, Dec. 3, the theatrical release of “Rocky” in 1976.

From there, Rocky will be celebrated with a mural unveiling, movie marathons, RockyU discussions about the enduring appeal of Sylvester Stallone’s most famous character, lookalike contests and even a bus tour. The tour takes Rocky fanatics around the city and includes stops at the fictional graves of Adrian and Paulie (not far from the real grave of former Phillies announcer Harry Kalas), the Italian market where Rocky trained, and the grounds of Mighty Mick’s Gym.

“If no one has seen the movie,” tour guide Adam Clements said before a recent trip, “there will be spoilers.”

Rocky fans can even recreate Rocky and Adrian’s first date at a local ice rink.

List of citywide RockyFest events

• November 30 – December 8: The Rocky Philadelphia Bus Tour

• December 3: Rocky Day – 10:30 a.m. special unveiling on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

• December 4: Unveiling of the Real Life Rockys mural

• December 5th: Southpaws Yappy Hour at the Docks

• December 6: Rocky Date Night at Penn Ice Rink

• December 6th – 8th: Rocky Movie Marathon

• December 6: Live book signing with John Rivoli

• December 6th: Rocky U with Dr. Farber

• December 7th: Rocky Date Night at the Zoo

For more information, visit phlvisitorcenter.com/rockyfest

It seems almost so unlikely that Rocky Balboa lasted 15 rounds with the champion Apollo Creed that it took so long for Philadelphia to properly honor “Rocky” and the other eight films in the series (including three “Creed” films). .

Whether locals like it or not, Rocky is as much a part of the city’s fabric as the Founding Fathers and the Liberty Bell.

Before most fans chug their first raw eggs of the day, there is already a line snaking past the Rocky statue at the bottom of the museum stairs, which often snakes around the corner for most of the day. Film clips are played ad nauseam on the big screen at sporting events – usually Adrian begging Rocky to win. The strains of “Gonna Fly Now” play before kickoff of all Eagles games. Every year, Rocky’s loyal followers stage a 50-kilometer race that follows his invented training route and is a grueling tribute to their mythical champion.

There’s even a merchandise stand by the stairs selling “Italian Stallion” robes and plush Clubber Lang dolls, not far from where the works of Paul Cézanne and Claude Monet hang in the museum.

Choose your favorite screen, there is something for everyone.

While Stallone and “Creed” star Michael B. Jordan have made promotional stops at the Rocky Steps before, no actors were expected at this year’s events.

Stallone, 78, appeared at a rainy Rocky Day last year and credited the city for the character’s success as well as everything the weathered fighter had accomplished on the big screen.

“I traveled around the world,” Stallone said. “But for some reason these 72 steps inspire and excite me. It’s like getting to the top, feeling inspired, feeling special, hopeful, happy. But most of all, you are proud of yourself. To all of you who believe it or not, you are real Rockys because you live your life on your own terms, try to do your best and just keep hitting.

The 1976 film won an Academy Award for Best Picture and ranked second in the 2020 AP poll of the 25 most popular sports movies.

The Philadelphia Visitors Center created RockyFest, which runs through Dec. 8, in part to honor the series and connect locals and tourists with film locations beyond the bronze statue.

“For years, tourists came every day to have their photos taken at the Rocky statue, and there was nothing here to formally welcome them,” said Maita Soukup of the Philadelphia Visitor’s Center. “Here at the Rocky statue and steps, there were no maps, no signage, no visitor services infrastructure, even though it was such a big tourist attraction. That’s why we wanted to open a visitor center here. As the city develops.” When Sly Stallone was following this, he turned to us and said, “Let’s do this together.”

Just like Rocky, if the first festival is successful, expect II, III, IV and more.