Visitors will recreate an iconic Rocky scene to raise money for the Market’s holiday food pantry
PHILADELPHIA – Reading Terminal Market will host its first-ever Meat Market Challenge on Saturday, October 24 at 11 a.m. as part of “Rocky Season, hosted by the Philadelphia Visitor Center, in celebration of 50 years of the film. Reading Terminal will shut down Filbert Street for a day of Rocky fun including a chance to recreate the iconic meat punching scene from the 1976 classic.
Reading Terminal will host a media preview for its Meat Market Challenge on October 23 at 11 a.m. at Giunta’s Prime Shop where staff will give a sneak peek of the frozen meat and discuss what to expect at Saturday’s event. Local bare knuckle fighter, Johnny Cannoli, will be on-site to throw a few jabs.
“Rocky, much like Reading Terminal, is a cornerstone of Philadelphia culture,” said Annie Allman, CEO and General Manager, Reading Terminal Market. “We are happy to work with the Visitor Center to celebrate the impact of this film by offering Philadelphians a chance to be a part of an iconic moment while giving back to our community.”
Recreating the famous meat punching scene from Rocky, attendees are invited to take their best shot at a hanging side of beef for a photo opportunity from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on October 24. Participants will be asked to make a $20 donation to the Reading Terminal Market Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which will be used to fill its Sharing Excess Food Rescue Pantry during the holiday season, providing meals to families in need. Each participant will receive a professional photo, and the first 50 people to sign up will be gifted logoed beanies. Meat used in the challenge will be sourced from Martin’s Quality Meats, coordinated by Trane Technologies, and donated to animals at the Elmwood and Cape May Zoos.
From 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., the Market will also host a Rocky lookalike contest. Chosen by Allman, with input from the audience, the participant that looks most like the Philadelphia icon will receive a $200 Market gift card.
In addition to the contest and photo opportunity, a DJ will be on Filbert Street playing Rocky tracks non-stop. Reading Terminal Market Merchants will participate in the celebration by offering Rocky-themed menu items while supplies last.
