If you’ve ever seen The Green live, I can guarantee at some point that you’ve asked yourself, someone sitting close by, or even the band… “what’s with the bunny?”  The shortest and simplest answer is that the bunny is our mascot.  It has nothing to do with the name of the band, it doesn’t have a name, it really has nothing to do with anything… and that’s what’s so great about it!

The story of the bunny begins in the summer of 1998, after a rehearsal in Rick Hallman’s garage, when the band decided to take a stroll around the neighborhood and discuss the best way to take over the rock and roll world.  Around the corner from Rick’s house, they came across a double-sided cardboard bunny head hiding between garbage cans next to the road. Without hesitating, Rick grabbed the bunny and took it home.  

The 4’x6’ cardboard bunny head was originally an ad for Easter, and had "It's Closer Than You Think! - Easter is March 30th!" written at the bottom. The band thought it would be hilarious to take this big bunny head to every show and find a spot on or near the stage for it without explaining to anyone why it’s there.  To further the confusion, Rick cut off the "Easter is March 30th!", leaving "It's Closer Than You Think!" at the bottom of the bunny. The Green was scribbled on it's forehead and from that moment on, the bunny was forever linked with the band.  Just like the band’s name, the bunny and it's slogan are very open for interpretation. 

Through the years, the cardboard bunny joined The Green on stage at nearly every venue.  Unfortunately, life on the road in a rock and roll band took its toll and the bunny started falling apart. After 8 years, the summer of 2006 was chosen as the final tour for our original cardboard mascot. It was retired after the last show of the summer; night 2 of The Green Fest. Leading up to it's retirement, many friends and fans took turns posing with the bunny as a celebration of the green tradition. 

Today, you will find a vinyl banner at every show with a picture of the bunny from its better days. The banner is 3’x5’, and was custom ordered through SignBar.com.  For those wondering what the bunny is up to these days... it is enjoying retirement and awaiting its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum to hang on display one final time.