Best Small Town to Visit 

Thanks to Policygenius for selecting Abilene as the Best Small Town to Visit in Kansas!

50 Charming American Towns You've Never Heard Of

While to many of us Abilene is a well-known community full of quality businesses, attractions and people, others may not be as aware of all Abilene has to offer. Thanks to House Beautiful Magazine for sharing Abilene with their readership.

Central Kansas Free Fair


Both current and former residents look forward to the Central Kansas Free Fair's parade every year. This year's Grand Marshal is Ron Shivers, a long-time fair and rodeo volunteer.

Thursday, August 2
4:00 p.m.
Buckeye / Third Street
National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo


August 3-4, 2018
Shockey & Landes Building
Abilene, Kansas














J oin us for the annual National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo Competition held in Abilene, Kansas, during the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo and the Central Kansas Free Fair. Tons of fun and amazing cowgirl and cowboy poets come together to win championship buckles, prize money and more! Entry forms and more information available on the web at  www.ncpr.us.
Chisholm Trail Western Music Show


The Chisholm Trail Western Music & Cowboy Poetry Show is scheduled for Saturday, August 4, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., at the amazing Great Plains Theatre, 401 Cottage, Abilene, Kansas. Reserved table seating includes complimentary beverages and appetizers at your table, $25.00 per person. Additional reserved tickets are $15.00, General Admission tickets are $10.00 and children 6-12 years old are $5.00 (5 & under free).

Come join us for a western-themed music show featuring Cowboy Entertainer, Geff Dawson & Dawn, along with our Special Guest, Del Shields, a western music recording artist, cowboy poet, and featured entertainer and co-host of Best of America by Horseback on RFD-TV. along with fellow cowboy and cowgirl poets and the newly crowned NCPR Champions. Also, be sure to come and watch the competition during the days (August 3 & 4, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. until approximatley 2:00 p.m. each day). There is no admission for the competition event between the hours of 8:30 and 2:00 p.m. each day.

Matinee Show tickets are limited. Children's and General Admission Tickets ($5.00) will be available at the door. Visit our web site for more information at  www.ncpr.us
Cowtown Classic
Click image to register

Throwback Thursday


These guide points were placed around Abilene in 1976 as part of the Abilene Bicentennial Project.
5 Star Reviews - Greyhound Hall of Fame

Great place to visit, easy access and easy to find. Lots of things to see within walking distance. The dogs are always at hit.

-N7040GKloris
Overland Park


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

Abilene Municipal Band 2018 Concert Schedule

All performances are in Eisenhower Park at the Royer Band Shell.
  • Thursday, July 19 @ 8 pm
  • Thursday, July 26 @ 8 pm
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

train

Regular Passenger Trains
Memorial Day - Labor Day
Wednesday - Saturday - departures @ 10 AM & 2 PM
Sunday - departure @ 2 PM


Dickinson County Heritage Center

The Dickinson County Heritage Center is a unique collection of two in-door museums, that continues out-the-back-door where you will find actual buildings from around the county, all depicting life on the Great Plains.

Don't miss the 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel - the oldest operational C.W. Parker Carousel.

Summer Hours:

Monday-Friday 
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (note time change)

Sunday
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 

Annual Ice Cream Social


Saturday, July 21
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Dickinson County Heritage Center

This year's festivities will include:
  • Homemade Ice Cream
  • Pie and cake auction
  • Pioneer Music from Thad Beach
  • Carousel Rides
  • Museum with new exhibits, the Texas Street Experience and 20th Century Entrepreneurs of Dickinson County
No admission, donations welcomed

This event is open to the public and donations are encouraged.

Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home


Cosmosphere SpaceWorks Division Lunch & Learn
July 26
Noon-2 pm
Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center

The next Lunch & Learn program is Thursday, July 26 at noon in the Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center Auditorium. This is free and open to the public, a light lunch is included on a first come, first serve basis.

Jim Remar, Cosmosphere President and Chief Executive Officer, will discuss the Cosmphosphere SpaceWorks Division. SpaceWorks is the restoration and fabrication division of the Cosmosphere. Major projects the team has helped restore include the Liberty Bell 7 and the Apollo 13 Command Module-Odyssey. He will also talk about exhibits at the Evergreen Aviation Space Museum and the JVS European touring exhibit. In addition he will discuss the current project: restoring mission control consoles in time for the 60th anniversary of NASA.

A recognized expert in the areas of museum administration, strategic planning and space artifact preservation and exhibition, He joined the Cosmosphere as curator in 2000. After eight years, Remar joined the team at Gregory, Inc. as Vice President of Operations. In 2012, Remar returned to the Cosmosphere as President/COO where he was responsible for all operations of the organization, including SpaceWorks. Remar was named CEO of the organization in January 2018. 

A Special thanks to Anita K. Miller and Angela M. Holt, Ironstone Wealth Advisors with Ameriprise Financial for sponsoring the Lunch-in.


Wichita Bull Stockings vs. Abilene Iron Cutters

** 1860s Game Rules:** 
No Gloves
Underhand Pitching
Fair or foul balls may be caught on the bound for an out
No leading off
No base stealing
No sliding

Audience participation is encouraged to help sway the referee rulings for your team!
Great Plains Theatre 


  What do you do when you have three sons but only one throne? Simple, release your estranged wife from prison and have a family Christmas! It's a battle royale of wits and intrigue in The Lion in Winter at Great Plains Theatre opening July 13th. Tickets are available online at  greatplainstheatre.com  or via phone at 785-263-4574. Feel the difference professional makes at GPT. 

Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum

Ginger, resident Greyhound at the  Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum , loves greeting visitors of all ages! 

Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum
Open daily 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Free admission
 

Old Abilene Town

Wild Bill's Gunfighters

Saturdays 
Noon, 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Sundays 
1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. 


 
Seelye Mansion

Abilene's Historic  Seelye Mansion  is a must-see! Furnished with items from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright and home to a wooden  bowling alley that's more than 120 years old, it's no "wonder" this beautiful mansion was named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas - Architecture winners by the Kansas Sampler Foundation

Tours Daily!
Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m

Upcoming events:
  • The Lion in Winter @ Great Plains Theatre - July 13-15, 17-22
  • Cowtown Classic - July 22
  • Central Kansas Free Fair - August 1-6
  • Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo - August 2-4
  • National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo - August 2-4
  • Vintage Base Ball Game - August 4
  • Shrek the Musical @ Great Plains Theatre - August 10-12, 14-19
  • Chisholm Trails Days @ Old Abilene Town - August 31 - September 1
  • Not Another Christmas Letter @ Great Plains Theatre - November 30-December 2, 4-9
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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.

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