Upper Darby, PA – June 24, 2025
The Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley held its annual general meeting and elections on Tuesday, June 24, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby.
Harry Karapalides was re-elected as President. Mike Economou of St. Demetrios was elected Vice President and will also serve as Chairman of the 2026 Greek Independence Day Parade Committee.
Both officers thanked the delegates for their support and outlined the Federation’s goals for the coming year. The leadership emphasized continuity, cooperation among member organizations, and stronger cultural visibility across the region.
Two major projects were announced during the meeting:
- On November 23, 2025, during the Philadelphia Marathon, the Federation will present four gold-dipped laurel wreaths, produced in Marathon, Greece, to be awarded to the winners of the race. The wreaths are being brought to Philadelphia through the support of the Greek General Consulate in New York, under the direction of General Consul Ifigenia Kanata. They will be presented as a gift from the Greek-American community to the City of Philadelphia.
- Planning is underway for the 2026 Greek Independence Day Parade, scheduled for April 26, 2026. The new parade committee will introduce updated programming while honoring the traditions that have shaped the event over the years.
The Federation thanks all participating societies for their continued engagement and looks forward to strengthening its role as a representative body for Hellenic culture in the Philadelphia and Delaware Valley region.
For future updates, please visit our website or follow the Federation’s official channels.