Evzones Return to Chicago: A Historic Greek Independence Parade

For the archetypal clip successful astir a decade, the Evzones – the Greek Presidential Guard – marched successful the Greek Independence Parade. Credit: Pan-Arcadian Federation US

The 2026 Greek Independence Parade that took spot connected South Halsted Street successful Chicago’s Greektown connected Sunday drew large crowds of Greek-Americans and visitors.

For the archetypal clip successful astir a decade, the Evzones – the Greek Presidential Guard – marched successful the Greek Independence Parade dressed successful accepted soldiers’ garments inspired by 19th-century Greek independence fighters.

The elite radical of Greek soldiers who basal defender astatine the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier successful Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece, and the Presidential Mansion, performed their ceremonial duties, including raising and lowering the Greek emblem astatine the Acropolis to a cheering crowd.

Presented by ENOSIS, the Federation of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois, the parade is simply a agelong contented that started much than 60 years ago, bringing unneurotic Greeks to observe the 1821 Greek War of Independence.

The parade was sponsored by Greektown Special Service Area #16. As portion of this year’s celebration, the Greektown Agora (Greek for “marketplace”) hosted a large fig of vendors selling Greek art, jewelry, and gifts astatine Elysian Field, located astatine the country of Halsted and Van Buren Streets.

Since its founding successful 1964, the Greek Independence Parade has go 1 of the biggest yearly events successful the Chicago Greek Community. Visitors tin spot accepted Greek costumes, perceive to Greek music, bask performances by Greek creation troupes, and observe Greek Independence.