Meet in Abilene!

Not only is Abilene a great place to visit, it's also a great place to host your meetings! Thanks to  Small Market Meetings  for this story featuring the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, Dickinson County Heritage Center, Old Abilene Town, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum, Seelye Mansion, Brookville Hotel, Mr. K's Farmhouse and Amanda's Bakery & Bistro.

Contact the Abilene CVB to learn more about meeting in Abilene.

Patriotism in Abilene 

It's that time of year again! The City of Abilene's Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking sponsors for the American flags, which are placed on poles from I-70 along Buckeye to the south city limits and from Buckeye west on Third Street. The flags are flown from the Eisenhower Marathon weekend through Veterans Day. Because they are flown for seven months, the flags and poles are more prone to wear and tear. The City of Abilene's Public Works Department replaces them as needed.
 
Our goal this year is to purchase 200 flags for the 2018 season. The cost of each flag remains the same at $25, which includes the pole and bracket.
 
Volunteers from the American Legion and VFW attach the flags to the flagpoles. The Public Works Department, Eagle Communications, Abilene Rental and Linder Electric install the flags on the light poles.
 
We rely on the community to provide funding for this project and hope you will consider purchasing one or more flags this year.

Flag sponsors to date:
  • M&M Tire & Auto
  • Danner Funeral Home, Inc.
  • Rivendell Bookstore
  • John's Service
  • Solomon State Bank
  • Greyhound Hall of Fame
  • Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home
  • Bob Burns Isurance Agency, Inc.
  • Next Home Unlimited
  • Eisenhower Foundation
  • Abilene Termite & Pest Control
  • Memorial Health System
  • Sonic
  • Dr. Lawrence M. Cooper
  • Abilene Machine
  • GreatLife Golf & Fitness
  • Abilene Rental-All & Sales, Inc.
  • Black & Co Realtors
  • Linder Electric
  • The Teck Shop
  • Abilene Auto Parts
  • Great Plains Federal Credit Union
  • Brian's Plumbing, Inc.
  • Pottberg, Gassman & Hoffman, Chartered          
  • Prim & Popper Parlor
  • West's Plaza Country Mart
  • Holm Automotive Center
  • Bill & Nanc Scholl
  • Pioneer Farm & Ranch Supply
  • Three One One
  • Brown Memorial Foundation
  • Robson Oil
  • Dennis & Teresa Weishaar
  • First Bank Kansas
  • Stephens Chiropractic
  • Rob & Dawn Hammatt
  • UMB Bank
  • Twila Jackson
Thank you for your continued support!

 
Abilene in the News

Traveling to Denver? Add Exit 275 to your list!

 
Abilene Eats

Thanks to the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle for celebrating Abilene's locally-owned restaurants!

Why Joe Snuffy?

The name Joe Snuffy is a nod to two points of significance in Andrews' life.

His father gained the nickname Snuffy when he was a child and his friends coaxed him into spending the change from a snuff errand on candy which resulted in a spanking in front of his buddies.

The Joe part comes from his respect for Private Joe, a nickname given to young privates in the U.S. Army.

 
Vendors Wanted

Abilene will be the scene of its first ever outdoor antique festival in the downtown area on May 12.  Five blocks will be closed to traffic and filled with vendors selling vintage, retro, antique furniture and decor, repurposed items, and food.  The event is being presented by two downtown antique malls, Mud Creek and Abilene Downtown Antique Mall and is being organized by volunteers who plan to make this an annual event.
 
Anyone interested in being a vendor can email  abileneantiquefest@gmail.com .  

 
Throwback Thursday

Super Bowl LII may be in the books, but thanks to the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum, Abilene has photographs from some of its early football teams including this photo of the 1923 Abilene High School football team.


 
5 Star Reviews

A gem of a house run by a gem of a hostess and host!

My friend and I had the absolutely pleasure of spending a night at the Engle House Bed and Breakfast in Abilene, Kansas. Chris and Scott could not have been more welcoming, accommodating, or informative about the history of the house and the area. The home's interior is a feast for the eye with such lovely and tasteful furnishings--oh... did I mention comfortable too? And breakfast! Oh totally yummy! I have stayed at a number of B&Bs all over the country and would rate Engle House at or near the top of the list. Thank you both for such a memorable stay. 
Really-- it's a gem!

-GoodShepard
Blacksburg, VA


"The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene."
Dwight D. Eisenhower
June 22, 1945

train
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's 2018 schedule is now available online. Book early to reserve prime dates!

Arts Council of Dickinson County

The Arts Council of Dickinson County presents its Annual Winter Film Fest, showing at the Eisenhower Presidential  Library Visitor Center beginning Sunday, Jan. 14, and will run through Feb.18. Movies will start at 2 p.m.

This series is sponsored by the Arts Council of Dickinson County in Partnership with the Eisenhower Presidential Library  and Museum. In conjunction with the free movie series, the Arts Council is accepting canned goods to donate to the
Abilene Area Food Center. There will be an area near the popcorn to place canned goods at the theatre.

Admission to all movies is free and open to the public. Popcorn will be provided at no charge. Sodas may be purchased at  the Visitor Center Gift Shop.

La La Land -  PG 13 - Sunday, February 11 @ 2:00 p.m.
Jesse Owens' quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936  Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy.

Dickinson County Heritage Center

Students from all over Dickinson County show off their masterpieces in the 9th Annual Heritage Art Show at the Heritage Center.  

The art will stay on display until February 11.

Learn more >
 

Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Who likes Ike? Brad Arnold from Three Doors Down visited the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum last week:

"Got to visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum today in Abilene, Kansas. Very Interesting place. That's my third Presidential library to visit. Have to add some more to the list. #learnyourhistory"

Save the date!
Using U.S. Army Unit Records in Family History Research -
Visitors Center Auditorium -
February 13 at 7 p.m.
Program presented by Mary Burtzloff.


Great Plains Theatre

GPT's Reader's Theatre After Dark

February 17 @ 7:00 p.m.

Reader's  Theatre  is simply a play that is read, usually from the script on stage by a minimal cast without costumes, set pieces, or props. The first of these will be The Tree House Effect , written in part by our very own Technical Director, Mark Warner. 

Tickets - $5/per person and season ticket holders get in free.

**Warning: Adult content - language




GPT Cinema
Feb 9: Pitch Perfect 3
Feb 16: The Greatest Showman
Feb 23: Paddington 2


Greyhound Hall of Fame 

Abilene's Greyhound Hall of Fame is open daily. Stop by and say hi to resident greyhounds Gary and Ginger.


Seelye Mansion

Named an 8 Wonders of Kansas - Architecture winner, Abilene's Seelye Mansion is open daily for tours.


Coming soon:
  • 1776 the Musical - March 1-4
  • K-State Skydivers at Abilene Municipal Airport - April 14
  • Reitz & Rust Spring Vintage Market - April 28
  • Antique Fest - May 12
Share your news!
Have an upcoming event? Help us, help you. We do our best to stay up-to-date, but please make sure to include us in your event and special promotions. Please send announcements to: director@abilenecityhall.com.