Rocky photo op kicks off U.S. Mr. Gay contest

Today, from 3 to 4 p.m., 16 U.S. Mr. Gay contestants will be "dressed to the nines in their sashes and business suits" at one of the most famous statues at the Art Museum.

Posing for pics with Rocky's pecs.

The group posing with the Italian Stallion is in town for a two-part national contest: a welcome party with a Q&A round at 8 tonight at Woody's, 202 S. 13th St., and the main competition at 8 p.m. Saturday at Voyeur, 1221 St. James St.

The finalists, chosen from around the country, are from as far as San Diego and L.A., with seven representing locales around the region, including Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, Lancaster, New Hope, Atlantic City, Wilmington and Rehoboth, Del.

The winner of the competition, which was also held here last year, will go on to compete for the International Mr. Gay title.

For tickets ($15 for Woody's to $55 for two-day VIP pass), go to: www1.nightlifegay.com/tickets.

For more on the contest and the competitors, go to: http://mrgaycompetition.com.