Tribute to Pat Hennessey on 150th year of his death is planned July 4 in Hennessey; Lions finalize activities
The 1874 death of Hennessey’s namesake, Patrick Hennessey, will be commemorated in an 8 a.m. Thursday, July 4 memorial service at Pat Hennessey Park.
Scott Hajek, known as the town’s historian, and others will pay tribute to the late Irish immigrant’s death after 150 years at the park located at Iowa and Arapaho streets.
Pat Hennessey, a Union soldier and wagon freighter, was one of the last victims of an “Indian uprising” in the United States.
Hajek told the KT&FP he’d “give a little history about Pat” during the ceremony.
He said Father Ed Menasco of Hennessey’s St. Joseph’s Catholic Church will also take part in the tribute.
Hajek made those comments after the Thursday meeting of the Hennessey Lions Club at Family Cafe.
The club is sponsoring two fundraiser “family events” during July 4 festivities at Hennessey’s aquatic park and children’s playground.
During the Lions meeting, Event Chairman Shel-ley Burch went over member assignments, plans and some special needs for one of the club’s July 4 events.
The Lions are responsible for three July 4 community fundraiser events: The Great Race, Cardboard and Duct Tape Boat Races in the town’s pool and the Ping Pong Ball Race.
Hajek said he has flags to put up on Main Street early Thursday morning if anyone wants to help.
Bryan Burch, who is in charge of the town’s July 4 fireworks, said he could use some more help that night if there were any volunteers.
Dagan Hardin chaired the meeting and asked Burch about the computer training needed to operate the equipment.
Burch, who works for the Town of Hennessey, said you have to be certified to use it and there are training classes available.
Hajek said before the town took over paying for the fireworks that the Lions not only paid for the fireworks, but had to pay about $2,000 for someone who was certified.
Burch said he and his wife, Shelley, would soon be driving to Kansas to pick up the fireworks.
Others at the meeting not mentioned above were Chasity Fipps (secretary- treasurer), Jack Choate III, Jewel Babiak and Kara Hajek.