\My name is Joseph Vaglica. I’m a big Rocky/Sylvester Stallone fan. I recently attended the “Philly Loves Rocky Week” celebration. Here’s my story…
I traveled to Philadelphia all the way from Edgewater, Florida. I couldn’t get the entire week off work so I decided to go for two days: Thursday for the Rocky and Adrian look alike contest and Friday for the statue rededication. There were some problems in my plans. In order to get Friday off I needed to find someone to cover my shift. I also was unsure if I wanted to spend the $360.00 it would cost to fly to Philly for only two days. I really needed a sign to tell me if I should go or not. While in the men’s shirt department at Target I saw the sign I was looking for! It was a shirt with Rocky on top of the steps of the art museum facing Philly wearing the outfit that I had planned on wearing in the look alike contest. I instantly had goosebumps.
I arrived in Philly at 10:00 Thursday morning and rented a car. I got to Love Park in my costume all ready to enter the look alike contest and discovered that the contest was already set and the five finalists were pre-selected (which was not explained in the article that I saw on the internet).
I was upset and discouraged. I told the organizers that I had just flown in from Florida. I guess I hit a nerve when I talked to a city representative because he began to spread my story to all the press. The contest officials felt bad and were also amazed at how dedicated I was to jump on a plane with such short notice. They decided to put me in the contest as an unofficial finalist! This was the best thing that could have happened because after the contest the city representative invited me to the press box on Friday for the Rocky statue Rededication! The catch was that I had to be dressed as Rocky. I excitedly agreed.
Than I started to walk back to the car as lots of people said I looked good. I walked passed a booth that had a raffle for the new Jakks Pacific limited edition Rocky action figure. The representative at the booth said that the outfit looked good and he invited me to a Rocky figure promotion! I went to the promotion dressed as Rocky and after it was over they gave me 4 of the limited edition action figures!
The next day was the statue rededication which didn’t start until 6:00. I walked around the art museum and met new friends (Joy, Mike, Steven, Abe, and John). About two hours before the rededication I had an interview with Channel 6 news. They also videoed me running up the stairs and jumping up and throwing punches at the top of the steps like Rocky. Then I had another interview inside the press area.
Finally Sly came down from top of the museum to the statue. It was unbelievable! I had never seen Sly in person and it was my goal to meet him. I have to admit that I was a little nervous videoing the ceremony . After the rededication I went to Sly’s party! I was able to get his autograph and Frank’s. I also got a picture with Frank.
What a great story! Your dedication paid off big time. Thanks for sharing! – Craig
