7QUESTIONS+PLUS

As the city of Kenosha’s project coordinator, Penney Haney has been planning some of the city’s most popular events for six years. Though a wrestling smackdown probably doesn’t have a future in Kenosha an underwear festival could have some possibilities. She’s always keeping her eyes peeled for new things and no Kenosha snowstorm will slow her down.

Penney Haney will now take your questions ...

  How did you get to be Kenosha’s project’s coordinator?
The Project Coordinator position opened in 2001 when my predecessor transferred to another position within the city. I have a BA in communication and my predecessor encouraged me to submit my application and resume for the project coordinator position. I was one of several interviewed by an outside panel, and here I am, about six years later.
   What past work experiences have helped you the most to succeed in this position? If someone is interested in becoming an event coordinator, what recommendations or advice would you give that individual?
   If you’re interested in becoming an event planner, try volunteering at a few events to get a feel for it. You need to be able to be on your feet for hours, tolerant of being outdoors in extreme heat or extreme cold, highly organized, detail-oriented and able to work with a variety of people who sometimes have competing agendas.
   What’s the hardest or easiest aspects of your job?
   Hardest? To honestly accept that I can’t control the weather. Easiest? Watching event-goers enjoying themselves, like a senior citizen ska dancing at a Peanut Butter & Jam Concert, a child delighting in a dog dressed as the Statue of Liberty at the Patriotic Pups Costume Contest, or the smiles on the faces of the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd at the Olympic Torch Relay at the bandshell.
   What’s your favorite event in Kenosha?
   Like a mother would say about her children, “They’re all my favorites.”
   What festival do you think Kenosha does best? Which ones would you like to see improved?
   One of my favorite events that I have nothing to do with except as a participant, is the Holy Rosary Parish Festival (spaghetti!)
   What advantages or disadvantages are there in planning events for Kenosha?
   The greatest advantage Kenosha has had during the last six years has been the support of and commitment to events of Mayor Antaramian and the Common Council. I can’t think of any disadvantages except that we live in an unpredictable climate prone to rainy and cool summer days, but there I go again on the weather.
   Any interesting weather stories? How do you plan for unpredictable Kenosha weather?
   I see I’m not the only one obsessed with weather. I carry a fleece jacket, hat, rubber shoes and sunblock to events. There have been plenty of events that I’ve used all of those things in a single day.
   What’s the craziest thing you’ve had happen at an event?
   On the day before the 2006 holiday tree-lighting ceremony, a blizzard walloped Kenosha with 17 inches of snow, and the park benches surrounding the tree were up to their “bottoms” in snow. An hour before the ceremony was to begin, my colleague handed me a shovel and suggested I start digging out the 60 or so benches.
   Do you scout events for Kenosha? What’s one event you’ve seen that you’d never bring to Kenosha?
   Yes, I’m always looking at events in other communities, especially larger cities. The Outta Sight Kite Flight is one example, as was the Bike To Work Week. An event that wouldn’t work in Kenosha? There is usually at least a single element of most any event in another community that could work here as a stand-alone event or an element in a larger event. Except maybe the World Wrestling Entertainment Smackdown. (Wrestling fans, please don’t send me mail on that.)
   What are your goals when planning events for Kenosha?
   For all events, my colleagues and I strive to provide high-quality fun for families and for individuals at minimal or no cost; we also want to stay within budget. Goals vary from event to event and sometimes include attracting not only residents, but visitors as well. We may want to draw residents’ attention to a particular area — like the Lincoln Park Live! concerts held in the beautiful gem-park, Lincoln, or Civil War Days at the Civil War Museum grounds. Other times, we want to bring residents out for something really different and crazy, such as the New year’s Day Never-Too-Cold-For-Golf Tournament.
   Budget aside, if you could bring any act to play a concert on the lakefront, who would you get?
   Quick! Someone get the agent for U2 on the phone!
   If you weren’t Kenosha’s city projects coordinator, what would you be doing?
   I’d be writing best-selling novels while waiting for my award-winning bread to rise.
   What are some ideas you have for new events you’d like to plan for Kenosha?
   My predecessor suggested an Underwear Festival (with Jockey). I’ll leave that to your imagination. We’ve also explored a barbecue cookoff, a sand-carving competition, a harvest moon and pumpkin festival, and a kids air and water show, featuring remote controlled airplanes and boats in Anderson Park.
   What do you do in your spare time?
   I enjoy traveling, working out, bicycle riding, reading, attending Broadway musicals and cooking.
   What’s your favorite destination outside of Kenosha?
   I love the warm air and turqouise waters of the Caribbean, the big-cityness of New York, and the history and beauty of Rome.
   What’s the best event you’ve attended outside of Kenosha?
   In Paris, I watched a fireworks display over the Seine River that was choreographed to arias sung by Maria Callas. I also enjoy the Wisconsin State Fair.
   Summerfest or Taste of Chicago?
   Taste. “It’s my kind of town.”