by KYW's Karin Phillips

Thousands are expected to line the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Sunday for the annual Greek Independence Parade. 

The annual Greek Independence Parade will roll down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sunday at 2pm from 16th Street to Logan Circle. George Horiates is the parade chairman:

"There'll be many Greek American societies marching in the parade. Mayor Nutter will be Grand Marshall. The Philadelphia Boys Choir will be singing the American National Anthem and the Greek National Anthem."

The annual parade commemorates the independence of Greece from the Ottoman Empire in 1821 -- 187 years ago.

Peter Papadeas is president of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Philadelphia, which represents 25 local Greek organizations and 15 churches. He says the annual anniversary is extremely important:

"In order for us to remember it properly, we need to do it every year."