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AHI Organizes Fifth Greek Heritage Night at Phillies Game

Super Bowl Champion Maragos Throws Out First Pitch; Crossover Classical Singer Performs National Anthem

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No. 39

WASHINGTON, DC — The American Hellenic Institute organized its Fifth Annual Greek Heritage Night held in cooperation with Major League Baseball's Philadelphia Phillies, June 13, 2018, at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.  Approximately 800 tickets were sold for Greek Heritage Night, which featured the Phillies versus the Colorado Rockies. Super Bowl LII Champion Chris Maragos, defensive back, Philadelphia Eagles, threw out the First Pitch. World renown Crossover Classical Singer Anastasia Zannis performed the National Anthem.

“On behalf of AHI, I sincerely thank the Philadelphia Phillies, especially the unbelievable unwavering efforts of the Phillies’ Director of Publicity, John Brazer, and Director of Group Sales, Vanessea Mapson, without whose support the event could not have been a success,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said. “I am also deeply grateful to the Greek American communities of the Tri-State Philadelphia area who came out in droves to support Greek Heritage Night and proudly displayed their Hellenic pride.  Finally, the event could not have been a success without the incredible backing of certain individuals and entities that helped to promote it and to sell tickets.”

He added, “We continue to receive positive feedback about the event, and we will continue to work to see it grow every year.”

About the evening’s festivities

Maragos is a nine-year NFL veteran and has played for the Philadelphia Eagles as a defense back and special teams specialist since 2014. He is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, having also been a member of the 2013 Seattle Seahawks team that won Super Bowl XLVIII. Maragos is a native of Racine, Wisconsin and played collegiately at the University of Wisconsin.

Zannis has performed on the international stage at the world’s premiere venues, including: Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, Herodus Atticus Theater, Teatro Argentina in Rome, and Keyaki Hall in Tokyo.  She has had the honor to perform the Olympic Anthem, and the National Anthems of the United States and Greece for special events, including the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  A career highlight for Zannis was when she was selected to perform for former President Bill Clinton in New York City.

The popular Phillies mascot, The Phillie Phanatic, sported an Evzone costume. The Phanatic and the Hellenic Heritage Dance Troupe of St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church, Cherry Hill, N.J., performed Greek dances upon the Phillies’ field during the 5th Inning.  The Hellenic Heritage Dance Troupe also preformed pre-game at the main entrance gate.  

A promotional video about Greece, made possible by the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO), was played on the ballpark's Jumbo-tron. Greek Heritage Night also featured a Greek cuisine stand.

In Appreciation

AHI is grateful to the many individuals and entities that helped to make this event a success.

For assistance with ticket sales, marketing, and promotion from the Greek American community: Drs. Spiro and Emily Spireas and SigmaPharm Laboratories; Constantine Larigakis, George and Niki Tsetsekos, Paul Kotrotsios, Aphrodite Kotrotsios and Hellenic News of America; AHI Board Member Nicholas and Kathleen Chimicles and Chimicles & Tikellis LLP; AHI Board Member Demetrios and Georgia Halakos, Demos and John Vasiliou and Astra Foods; Law Office of George Horiates, Seasons Pizza, Peter Doulis, and The Hellenic Heritage Dance Troupe.

Special acknowledgement and thanks goes to CosmosPhilly and Hellenic News of America for their media coverage.

From The Philadelphia Phillies: John Brazer, director of Publicity; Vanessa Mapson, director, Group Sales; The Phillie Phanatic; and of course, The Philadelphia Phillies organization.