Sunday, Dec. 3, will mark the first-ever “Rocky Day” in Philadelphia, writes Kristin Hunt for Phillyvoice.

To mark the occasion, Sylvester Stallone — the notable actor who portrayed the Rocky Balboa character — will be visiting the Parkway Visitor Center.

Stallone will ceremoniously open the visitor center’s new Rocky Shop after a City resolution is read deeming Dec. 3 as “Rocky Day.”

Dec. 3 was the date of the original Rocky film, which was mostly filmed in Philly, and released in 1976.

“When I come to Philly and stand on the steps, it touches my soul like it did when I was a child. This is a very special place in a very special city. … Believe me, there’s no other place like it in the world!” said Stallone.

The visitor center and its new Rocky Shop are located just steps away from the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the bronze Rocky Statue.

The shop features numerous items from the movies, including Rocky’s tiger jacket, stars-and-stripes boxing trunks, and yellow “Italian Stallion” boxing robe. All items are licensed through Stallone’s official brand, and a portion of the proceeds will go toward restoring the art museum’s East Terrace and steps. 

Learn more about Sylvester Stallone’s rise to fame and “Rocky Day” in Phillyvoice. 

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