Philadelphia, PA – Thousands of Hellenes and Philhellenes gathered along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, this past Sunday for the annual Greek Independence Day Parade.

Greek organizations, churches, schools, and families participated in the annual event. Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia was present again this year. He kicked off the annual event by declaring Ζήτω η Ελλάς! Metropolitan Evangelos, reintroduced Mayor Nutter as Mayor Nutteropoulos and declared him Greek for the day.

The parade was led by Grand Marshal, businessman Spiros Spireas, and was dedicated to the American Hellenic Institute, one of the leading organizations from Washington, DC that works on Hellenic Issues.

Also in attendance, were AHI Founder Eugene T. Rossides and its president Nick Larigakis, and Dr. John Grossomanides, Jr. the Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA.