Couples who look awkward on skates – and on dates – had the chance to celebrate their cute awkwardness in a Rocky and Adrian look-alike contest on RockyFest in Philadelphia on Friday.
The evening event at the University of Pennsylvania’s ice rink in 1923 was intended to echo the couple’s first date in “Rocky.” In the classic 1976 film, the eponymous boxer never puts on skates in the scene, but instead shuffles next to his best friend Paulie’s sister as she tries to stay upright.
The winning prize of the contest was dinner at the iconic Victor Café in South Philadelphia, where the servers also sing opera, along with a hotel stay and a $250 certificate for a Rocky-themed gift shop.
New York City firefighter Jason Carrion and his wife Roxanne Carrion took first place.
“I wanted to do something because I think we’re the biggest Rocky fans ever. I mean, just look at us,” said Jason Carrion, wearing a leather jacket and hat identical to Rocky’s streetwear in the film.
Roxanne Carrion called the event her dream date. “I’m going ice skating, going to the Rocky Steps in costume and now we’re going to see the movie “Rocky” in the theater. So this was the perfect date for us,” she said.
She said the film has gained such widespread appeal because of its “underdog” theme: “It’s an inspiring story that transcends any age or person, isn’t it?”
Tassanee Vejpongsa / AP
Philadelphia served as the setting for the popular ‘Rocky’ franchise, something the city is celebrating almost 50 years later with a five-day festival which emerged from the first Rocky Day in 2023.
This week’s events included the unveiling of a mural, movie marathons, conversations about the enduring appeal of the Sylvester Stallone character and a bus tour of favorite scenes.
Meanwhile, a second cast of the Rocky statue was unveiled at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Rocky steps — the original was featured in “Rocky III” — and will remain there through December 31.
“This statue represents everything the Rocky films stand for: resilience, heart and the unbreakable bond between Rocky and the people of Philadelphia,” Stallone said in a statement.
