Scoop: RockyFest goes dark in Philadelphia

State of play: Philadelphia Visitor Center Corp. is skipping RockyFest this year, with no events or festivities planned over the coming week.

• That's despite the Visitor Center's website boasting that "plans are already in the works for RockyFest 2025" on its website.

Flashback: The nonprofit set up the first-ever RockyFest last year.

• The (long overdue) festival included a movie marathon and events recreating scenes from the films, as well as the addition of another Rocky statue at the Philadelphia Art Museum.

What they're saying: Kathryn Ott Lovell, the president and CEO of the Visitor Center, tells Axios that instead of hosting a series of RockyFest events this week, the nonprofit is focusing on the 50th anniversary of "Rocky" in 2026.

• The Visitor Center is still finalizing the details for hosting Rocky-related programming throughout the year.

Zoom out: 2026 is already jam-packed with big events in the Philly region, including the FIFA World Cup and America's 250th birthday.

Meanwhile, the original Italian Stallion is returning to the silver screen.

• "I Play Rocky" is in production and tells the story of the making of the boxing classic.
• Actor Anthony Ippolito, who is playing Rocky Balboa, was recently seen filming scenes for the film at the art museum's steps last month.

Plus: Sylvester Stallone's new memoir, "The Steps," will hit the shelves on May 5, 2026.

💭 Mike's thought bubble: Here are a few ways you can celebrate Rocky Day:

• 🥚 Get in an early morning workout, but replace a glass full of raw eggs with hard-boiled.
• 🍿 Host a movie marathon of all the films.
• 🐔 Try to chase and catch a chicken.
• ❤️ Go on a date night at the Philly Zoo (and propose).
• 📖 Read "Rocky Stories."