It’s hard to believe 41 years ago Hollywood rolled into Hope, B.C. Our community didn’t really know what this filming thing was all about. If not for a forward-thinking town council led by Mayor Bud Gardner and some creative flying with location scouts by helicopter pilot Fred Fandrich of Valley Helicopters, could the outcome have been different? We’ll never know.
Crowned the original “Hollywood North”, Hope B.C. broke ground for film and production. An industry that now generates over 3 billion dollars a year here in the Province of British Columbia.
Forty years ago, in October of 1982 First Blood, was released to an international audience and since then thousands of fans have come back to the town where it all began to re-live their favourite movie moments.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary our community has stepped up big time. The sponsors and individuals mentioned at the front and back of this program made all this possible so please show your RAMBO LOVE by thanking and supporting them. This is going to be the biggest First Blood event yet so if this is your first time here or you are coming back again…..”Welcome”
And remember…..”NOTHING IS OVER”!! – John James Rambo
Have a great time!
The Hope, B.C. “Baker” Team
FIRST BLOOD MERCH AT THE HCC VISITOR CENTRE
First Blood merch is now available in the Tourism Hope, Cascades & Canyons Visitor Centre! Stock up on t-shirts, hats, pins, mugs, and even your own piece of the famous Rambo bridge!
Event Schedule
HMI Skate Park
All day
We’re kickin’ the weekend off with some skateboard family fun. Don’t worry you don’t have to be Tony Hawk just stop by and give it a try! No equipment ? No problem! No experience? Even better! Hippie Mike will outfit you with a board and equipment (see in store for details) Get in on a chance to win some cool prizes. This event runs from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm and is for all ages. Only $5 !
Hope Arts Gallery
All day
Ch eck out the First Blood themed Art exhibit and creations by local artisans at the Hope Arts Gallery and gift shop at 349 Fort St.
Around Town
All day
Play “Where’s Rambo” at participating businesses around town – contest forms available at the Hope Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre. The winner will receive a cool First Blood 40th anniversary gift package and will be drawn Sunday afternoon.
Mountainview Brewing Co.
All day
Visit Mountainview Brewing Co. to see the display of props used in the movie. Play Rambo Roulette for your chance to win cool prizes! See in store for details.
Hope Cascades & Canyons Visitor Centre
12:00 - 4:00
Master Carver and John Rambo carving creator Ryan Villiers will be carving in front of the Hope Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre You can win his First Blood themed creation - Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00
Walking Tour of all your favourite filming locations!
1:00 - 4:00
Starting location - the Hope Cascades & Canyons Visitor Centre. We’ll take you on a 3 hour walking tour of all your favourite filming spots around town and tell you all the behind the scenes stories. A special unveiling ceremony will take place with the Mayor of Hope during the tour. (Must have good walking footwear)
First Blood 40th anniversary kick off! Mountainview Brewing Co.
First Show 5:00 – 7:30 (all ages)
Second Show 8:30 – 11:00 (all ages)
Tickets are $10.00 per show and must be purchased in advance by calling or stopping by the Hope Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre at 919 Water Ave. - 604 869 2021. There’ll be cool First Blood prizes, 50/50 draws, Rambo roulette, surprise guests and of course First Blood on the big screen with big sound! (Parking is limited so it is recommended you cab or walk to the brewery. Parking is available at the Visitor Centre which is a 10 minute walk away from the brewery) Lucas Pardy DJ Services brought to us by Envision Financial!
Hope Arts Gallery
All day
Check out the First Blood themed Art exhibit and creations by local artisans at the Hope Arts Gallery and gift shop at 349 Fort St.
Around Town
All day
Play “Where’s Rambo” at participating businesses around town – contest forms available at the Hope Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre. The winner will receive a cool First Blood 40th anniversary gift package and will be drawn Sunday afternoon.
Mountainview Brewing Co.
All day
Visit Mountainview Brewing Co. to see the display of props used in the movie. Play Rambo Roulette for your chance to win cool prizes! See in store for details.
Wallace Street
All day
Check out the First Blood themed Art exhibit and creations by local artisans at the Hope Arts Gallery and gift shop at 349 Fort St.
Hope Bike Park
10:00
Rambo paintball at the Hope Bike Park (Kawkawa Lake road next to where the Rambo bridge was located) brought to us by Sniperz paintball. PAY TO PLAY ON SITE. All protective gear provided. Some age restrictions apply. Feel like you are being chased through the woods like our guy John J !!
Wallace Street
4:00
We are honoured to have the family of the late Brian Dennehy here in Hope, B.C. visiting us for a very special presentation on Wallace street. Please join us next to District Hall for this wonderful tribute.
Hope Cinema Cafe
5:00
Lieutenant Clinton Morgan is here in Hope, B.C.! He’s the bad guy who chased John J into the mine shaft and of course the man who needs to be at the drug store tomorrow! Come meet actor Patrick Stack for pictures and autographs in front of the Hope Cinema Cafe..
Hope Cinema Cafe
6:00
Doors open to the theatre for the showing of First Blood! Tickets are $10.00 each and must be purchased in advance by calling or stopping by the Hope Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre at 919 Water ave. 604 869 2021 – All theatre ticket buyers will be entered into a draw for a helicopter trip above Chapmans gorge with Valley Helicopters. Limited First Blood merchandise will be available at the theatre. 50 / 50 draws, door prizes and a lot more in store on this Saturday night to remember.
Hope Cinema Cafe
7:30
Get to your seats. Welcome and special presentation by the creator of the “Heart Stopper” the knife used in LAST BLOOD. Dietmar Pohl of Pohl Force Tactical Knives is here!
Hope Cinema Cafe
8:00
We want to hear you cheer loud for our good guy John J as we present First Blood! The historic theatre where Sylvester Stallone himself sat every night with crew reviewing First Blood dailies and watched Rocky 3 for the very first time before it was released to an international audience!
Hope Local House Silver Chalice Pub
10:00 (19+)
It’s Rambo Karaoke time at the Local House Silver Chalice Pub hosted by none other than Colonel Trautman’s long lost nephew Brian Trautman! Challenge Global Television’s long-time First Blood fan Mark Madryga to a Karaoke sound off! First Blood themed drink specials, Rambo burgers on special, door prizes and yes First Blood on the big screen! There is a $5.00 cover charge and tickets need to be purchased in advance at the Hope Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre by stopping by at 919 Water ave or by calling 604 869 2021.!
A very cool Rambo prize pack up for grabs for BEST LOOKING RAMBO so come dressed up
Hope Arts Gallery
All day
Check out the First Blood themed Art exhibit and creations by local artisans at the Hope Arts Gallery and gift shop at 349 Fort St.
Around Town
All day
Play “Where’s Rambo” at participating businesses around town – contest forms available at the Hope Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre. The winner will receive a cool First Blood 40th anniversary gift package and will be drawn Sunday afternoon.
Mountainview Brewing Co.
All day
Visit Mountainview Brewing Co. to see the display of props used in the movie. Play Rambo Roulette for your chance to win cool prizes! See in store for details.
Wallace Street
10:00 - 2:00
Master Carver and John Rambo carving creator Ryan Villiers will be carving downtown on Wallace St. You can win his First Blood themed creation - Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00
Hope Cinema Cafe
10:00
First Blood themed market place to shop for all your First Blood souvenirs while browsing through a Military vehicle display.
Then LOOK OUT, it's Tank Crush Time! Line up along Wallace St. to watch a 52 tonne Australian Centurion Tank drive over parked cars RAMBO STYLE! Brought to us by the Canadian Military Education Centre, Silver Skagit Mechanical, the Hope Rotary Club & the Hope and District Chamber of Commerce with help by our very own Hope Search and Rescue.
Wallace Street
12:00
STALLONE SHOUT OUT! Don’t run away because we want to hear your loudest “NOTHING IS OVER” to the drone flying down Wallace
Prize awarded for best dressed Rambo!
12:30
Hope Cinema Cafe
10:00 - 2:00
The bad guy is here! Come and get your picture taken and autographs with the VC Commander himself Stephen Chang.
Hope Cinema Cafe
1:00
Doors open to the theatre for the showing of First Blood! Tickets are $10.00 each and must be purchased in advance by calling or stopping by the Hope Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre at 919 Water ave. 604 869 2021 – All theatre ticket buyers will be entered into a draw for a helicopter trip above Chapmans gorge with Valley Helicopters. Limited First Blood merchandise will be available at the theatre.
Hope Cinema Cafe
2:00
We want to hear you cheer loud for our good guy John J as we present First Blood! The historic theatre where Sylvester Stallone himself sat every night with crew reviewing dailies and watched Rocky 3 for the very first time before it was released to an international audience! Immediately following the show we will draw for our Helicopter trip over Chapman’s gorge with Valley Helicopters! No purchase is necessary for entry, visit or contact the Hope, Cascades & Canyons Visitor Centre for more information.
King Pin Patio
4:00
Join us up at the King Pin on the corner or 6th and Wallace where they are bbq’in pretty well everything that will make a “Billy Goat Puke” ! Fun, prizes, and guess what.... the movie will be playin’!
Where’s Rambo contest closes
5:00
Make sure your completed forms are dropped off to the Hope Cascades & Canyons Visitor Centre by 5:00 pm.
Hope Cascades & Canyons Visitor Centre
9:00
We are taking the First Blood filming locations tour on the road! Brought to us by Discover Canada Tours. Join Scott Hardy from FirstBloodFilminglocations.com as he takes us to Harris road where Rambo’s army truck crashed through the road block, the junk yard, the river bed where John J flips his bike, Sheriff Teasle flips his sheriff’s car, Base Camp and Capilano River Provincial Park. Tickets are $75.00 each and must be purchased in advance at the Hope Cascades and Canyons Visitor Centre. Seating is limited. Proper hiking and outdoor wear required.
Get Your Tickets
Our Sponsors
It is impossible to pull off an event like this without the help of these folks and businesses. A Rambo sized thank you to all of them!
Movie Car Sponsors
Our Media Partners