We pull out all the stops for July 4 and all the neighbors are invited to come on out and enjoy the fun! Hosted annually at Norman Clayton Park, it includes a fun run/walk, parade, and picnic. Annual schedule is as follows:
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The 2025 Greentree Neighborhood 4th of July events were again a huge success. The Greentree Gallop did not “officially” occur due to the early morning thunderstorms and rain. However, the rain ended just in time and Kathe Powers, the GTNA Board member coordinating the event, was determined to be there at 8:30am in case people showed up. They did. Kudos to Kathe and the runners/walkers who defied Mother Nature’s attempt to stop them. Using muscle memory from previous Gallops, the participants followed the unmarked course from start to finish beginning the day’s events.
The parade from Anana School to Norman Clayton Park had no such weather challenges. Onlookers noted that the youngsters of all ages who joined the parade brought waves of red, white and blue clad costumes and kid sized vehicles of all types to the procession. The Madison Fire Department Truck led the way. Comments from the Fire crew indicated that the Greentree parade is a great event, and one that they really enjoy due to the neighborhood participation. It was a nice complement and compliment for the 2nd big event of the 4th. Thanks to GTNA Board member Ruth Paulson who made it all happen.
The size of the group that attended the annual Picnic surprised those of us who organized the event. A Friday holiday can suppress a crowd. Not this year. Despite the slowly ramping up heat and humidity, between 300 and 350 people showed up to Norman Clayton Park. They stayed to enjoy food, drink, kids face-painting and tattoos, and family and neighborly socializing. Picnic coordinator Katie Place, with help from Melissa Bennett, did an amazing job of coordinating everything associated with the Food Tent.
Over 50 volunteers gave their time to make the 4th of July, again, a special Greentree event. Thank you to those good people for their efforts on behalf of the neighborhood. It could not happen without you.
Finally, to those of you who attended the picnic, thank you for leaving the park as clean as you found it. Picking up after ourselves is the way it should be but often does not happen. It shows pride in the park, and in the neighborhood, and it is very much appreciated.
— Jay Russell, GTNA President
Thanks to all our 4th of July volunteers: Serene Arena, Leila Bakhtiarirad, Joel Batha, Kathy Batha, Melissa Bennett, Stephen Block, Lynn Caravello, Jennie Embree, Virginia Evans, Dave Ewanowski, Mayo Ewanowski, Bonnie Frank-Thompson, Aedon Gardill, Aiden Glazer, Jeffrey Glazer, Mary Beth Griepp, Gay Gross, Mark Gross, Terry Gulesserian, Gary Hartung, Sharon Hartung, Bonnie Henningfield, Steve Henningfield, Samuel Jensen, Sandy Jensen, Russ Jensen, Libby Keuffel, Tori Keuffel, Gary Kobs, Alex Kocher, Camille Krueger, Malerie Lenz, Elle Lettner, Karl Lettner, Marie Lettner, Bonnie Mitchell, Jack Mitchell, Mary Niederehe, Trevor Olson, Ruth Paulson, Katie Place, Jim Powers, Kathe Powers, Ed Reisch, Mary Lou Reisch, Dana Russell, Jay Russell, Nicole Russell, Helen Sheahan, Pat Sheahan, Debbie Spear, Jack Spear, Molly VanderWielen, Charlie Vaughn, Gerry Vaughan, Jennifer Vaughan, Rick Welsh