The 17th Annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Kicks Off in Historic Greektown Next Month

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Yield PR

Feb 26, 2018, 15:50 ET


DETROIT (PRWEB) February 26, 2018 -- The annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade celebrating Greece and Greek-American culture in Michigan, Ohio and Canada, is set for Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. ET in historic Greektown Detroit. The family-friendly parade features traditional Greek dancers and musicians, handmade floats by local schools and businesses, a variety of church and non-profit groups, collegiate groups, characters The Parade Company’s Big Head Corp., and more.

The parade date coincides with Greek Independence Day, the national holiday celebrated annually in Greece on March 25, commemorating the start of the War of Greek Independence in 1821. Nearly 200 years ago, Greece declared independence from the Ottoman Empire, re-establishing freedom and democracy in the country. To observe Greek Independence Day, communities throughout the world hold parades each year. The Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade, now in its 17th year, is one of the largest Greek parades in the United States, with thousands of Hellenes from Michigan, Ohio and Canada gathering in the Greektown district for the celebration.

The schedule of parade-day events are:

  • 1:00 p.m. Dignitary reception, dance performance and press preview inside the Atheneum Suite Hotel. (Note: Parade staging and unit placement takes place on Monroe Street, in front of One Campus Martius.)
  • 3:00 p.m. Parade begins from Campus Martius Park, travels up Monroe Street and through historic Greektown, then concludes at the JACK/Greektown Hotel.
  • 4:00 p.m. Post-parade ceremony, dance performances and street festival in Greektown.

The Parade Committee is still accepting sponsors and volunteers to be a part of the festive, family-oriented, and growing tradition in the metro Detroit Greek-American community. Sponsorships help fund the Parade Committee’s local student scholarships, and help ensure the parade’s success. The Parade Committee is also seeking volunteers (individuals or groups) to assist parade staff in setting up, managing the dignitary and pre-parade reception, offering general information to parade-goers, keeping the parade on time as assistant pacers, and more.

"It's an honor to host this annual tradition that aims to preserve our culture and ensure future generations connect to our past," said Yanni Dionisopoulos, president of the Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Committee. "This is truly a community effort, and we appreciate the support of our business associates, friends, and neighbors to help ensure this year’s parade is the best to-date."

For nearly two decades, the Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Committee, with the support of the Greektown Preservation Society, has celebrated the traditions and culture of Greece and Greek-Americans in metro Detroit, through the annual parade and celebration, the Hellenic Museum of Michigan, community grants and awards, and school and collegiate engagement. For more information, visit http://www.Detroit.GreekParades.com or http://www.Facebook.com/DetroitGreekParade.

Kate Fettig Hill, Yield PR, +1 312-860-1044, [email protected]