Category: First Blood

• Enter to win $200 cash prize
• Enter original artwork that depicts the character of “John Rambo” as featured in the film “First Blood”
• Submit to Destination Hope & Beyond Services by 5PM on Thursday, October 4th, 2007
• All 2D media forms eligible (for example pencil, ink, charcoal, watercolour, oil, acrylic, pastel etc.). Mechanically produced or assisted artwork such as photographs or computer generated images will not be accepted. Minimum size 5” X 7”. Please do not frame entries.
• No entry fee.
• All entries become the property of Destination Hope & Beyond Services and will be exhibited during the “Rambo-First Blood” 25th Anniversary Event in Hope October 5th to 8th, 2007
• All entries must be accompanied by a signed release form.
• Minimum of 10 contestants or contest will be cancelled. Maximum of two entries per contestant.
• Judges decision is final.
• Entry forms & release forms available from the Hope Visitor Centre & Museum Complex located at 919 Water Avenue, Hope, B.C., V0X 1L0

We have several talented SZoner artists — good luck to all! – Craig

More on the First Blood celebration:

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Friday, October 5th – 7PM or so … welcome evening for First Blood fans at the Silver Chalice Neighbourhood Pub featuring the premiere showing of the REEL PLACES documentary/travelogue of “First Blood”. No cover charge. Must be 19 years old to gain admission. Introduction of the Rambo look-alike competitors – each Rambo look-alike competitor will receive a free ticket for the “First Blood” film screening on Saturday evening.

Saturday, October 6th – 10AM guided walking tour of “First Blood” filming locations within Hope. Starting location is the Hope Visitor Centre/Museum Complex at 919 Water Avenue. Admission to Museum by donation but no charge for walking tour. Must wear good walking shoes and be prepared for all kinds of weather – event proceeds rain or shine! (From 9AM to 10AM pre-bookings & pre-payments for a lunch at the Sheriff’s Office can be made at the Visitor Centre & Museum Complex) Tour will include lunch stop at the “Sheriff’s Office” where “First Blood” art competition entries will be displayed. Tour will conclude at the Visitor Centre/Museum Complex sometime in the afternoon.

Saturday, October 6th – 7PM doors open at the Hope Cinema for a special screening of the original “First Blood” film. At 7:30 PM anyone present that has stories or memories to share will be asked to speak at the microphone before the film begins. Rambo look-alike competitors will each be asked to voice one of the well known “Rambo” pieces of dialogue. The “Fan Favourite” and official first place winners of the Rambo look-alike competition to be announced & awards presented. Film begins once speakers & Rambo impersonators are finished. Cost per person is $8.00. Ticket will also include admission to the feature film (title unknown yet) being shown at Hope Cinema immediately after the conclusion of “First Blood”.

Sunday, October 7th – 10AM Meet at the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park parking lot for a guided walk through “Chapman’s Gorge”. Parking fee is $3 per vehicle (bring coins for the parking ticket machine). Must wear good walking shoes and be prepared for all kinds of weather – event proceeds rain or shine! Those who want to continue on with the optional hike should bring a bag lunch. No charge to participate.

Inge Wilson
Hope Visitor Centre & Museum Complex
Destination Hope & Beyond Services

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It looks to be like a lot of fun. If any SZoner is able to attend, we’d love to see photos and a report! – Craig

This came in the e-mail this week…

Hope Celebrates 25th Anniversary of First Blood

Over 25 years have passed since First Blood wrapped filming in Hope, British Columbia, Canada – but residents, local crew and Rambo enthusiasts agree it doesn’t feel like a quarter century has passed. Back in 1981, British Columbia’s film industry was in itsinfancy when the Ministry of Tourism’s Film Promotion Office, helmed by Dianne Neufeld and Justis Greene, received a call from a production company interested in shooting First Blood, a $15 million action movie in B.C..

After scouting several different locations in BC, the producers found the exact look they had been searching for in the small town of Hope. Soon after, a crew of approximately 100 people (many of whom still work in the BC Film industry) began to transform the town of Hope into the birthplace of John Rambo. The Sheriff’s Office was constructed on the lawn of Hope’s District Hall, a gun shop and gas station were built and American flags, mailboxes, and US Army billboards were placed on downtown streets.

During the filming, the cast and crew had to deal with bitter cold, the theft of over 50 firearms needed for the movie, Stallone’s injuries and the escape of a wild boar on its way to set. Despite these challenges, First Blood, which was released on Friday October 22, 1982was a major box office success, earning a record breaking $14.8 million in the first 12 days of its release.

To mark the film’s 25th anniversary, the Hope Visitor Centre & Museum Complex (operated by Destination Hope & Beyond Services) is celebrating the occasion with a number of events and activities over the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend, beginning October 5th. The anniversary celebration plans currently include a welcome reception at a Hope pub, the premiere of the REEL PLACES “First Blood” travelogue/documentary by Seattle’s Gas Light Alley Entertainment, film location tours, a Rambo look-a-like contest, an art competition, a pig roast dinner, and the publication of a souvenir “First Blood” booklet as a keepsake.