|
|
Abilene Tourism Advocate
July 28, 2022
|
|
|
|
Favorite & Friendliest Small Town in the U.S. - TravelAwaits Readers (2022) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kansas Media Event - Welcome Party! |
Kansas Tourism selected Abilene to host the 2022 Kansas Media Event. During this time, more than 40 travel writers from throughout the country will visit Abilene and explore all we have to offer. So... we're kicking off the event with a Welcome Party at Old Abilene Town!
Join in the fun at Old Abilene Town on Tuesday, August 2, from 4-8 pm as we enjoy a longhorn cattle drive complete with longhorns boarding the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's 103-year-old Baldwin 4-6-2 Steam Engine, cowboy poetry by Poet Lariat Ron Wilson, a walk through Old Abilene Town with Wild Bill Hickok as he tells the Abilene's wild and wooly history, Stagecoach Rides with Wild Heart Carriages, live music by local performers Keep the Change and more!
** There is no cost to attend or ride the train!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Iron Horse Trail Groundbreaking |
After several years of planning, the Iron Horse Trail is breaking ground and moving forward.
Community members, volunteers and donors will gather on Tuesday, August 2 at 1 p.m. south of the Dickinson County Heritage Center at SE 5th Street and S Campbell Street to celebrate the start of the project.
A project of the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, Phase 1 of the Iron Horse Trail, The Oard Trail, will be constructed from Campbell Street east to Jeep Road adjacent to the ASVRR track and on its property. The Oard Trail honors Mary Jane Oard and her late husband, Orville Oard, for their years of service to the ASVRR.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cowboy Boots Added to Cowboy Art Trail |
Eleven decorated cowboy boots will soon be added to Abilene's Cowboy Art Trail.
The boots celebrate Abilene's cowboy history and have special historical significance as a reminder of T.C. McInerney's Drovers Boot Store.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Offers Free Rides |
The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad is fighting inflation by offering special free train rides on Tuesday afternoon, August 2. The excursion railroad, now in its 28th season of operation, will offer free rides on a “first-come, first served” basis to passengers who come to the Rock Island Depot at 200 SE 5th in Abilene between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. that day.
Trains will be powered by the prize of the railroad’s fleet of engines, the century-old Santa Fe 3415 steam locomotive.
A&SV President and General Manager Ross Boelling said next Tuesday’s free trips will be shorter than the railroad’s normal two-hour round-trip excursion between Abilene and Enterprise. Instead, next Tuesday’s short rides will run from the depot to a stopping point just beyond Jeep Road. The shorter rides will last approximately 20-30 minutes.
“This is our ‘inflation fighter’ special,” Boelling said, “which is being offered as a thank-you to all our fans and to introduce our railroad to prospective passengers.”
But in addition to A&SV railfans, Boelling said that the August 2 trains will have some other special passengers
.
Journalists from across Kansas will ride on the A&SV as part of the “Kansas Media Event,” a two-day convention of regional travel writers, who will meet in Abilene on August 2 and 3. Boelling said that another special feature of the trains that day will include a cattle car of Texas Longhorns that will be driven to the Rock Island depot that afternoon to symbolize Abilene’s legacy as the destination point of the Chisholm Trail in the 1800s.
Boelling said the railroad will offer as many of the short rides as time permits.
“We hope to operate several trips between Abilene and Jeep Road between 4pm and 7pm,” Boelling said.
|
|
|
|
Not only is Sharolyn Adams a long-time Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo fan, but she's also the Tourism Assistant at the Abilene CVB!
|
|
My people; Abilene rodeo is long-time tradition for Dickinson County woman |
Dickinson County woman loves Abilene rodeo, has missed 3 out of 64 years.
The Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo has been a part of Sharolyn Adams’ life for 61 of her 64 years.
Since she was a baby, she’s only missed the rodeo three times: once as a newborn, the year her father died, in 2001, and last year, when she had a broken leg.
Adams, who lives north of Abilene in Dickinson County, grew up attending the rodeo. “It was our family vacation when we were kids,” she said. Her parents, Dean and Marilyn Roles, farmed, so it was hard to get away on trips. She and her brother showed 4-H animals, and they’d come to the fair and rodeo several days. “It was a big thing in our lives.”
|
|
|
|
"Jersey Boys" at Great Plains Theatre
Do you have your tickets for opening night at Great Plains Theatre? JERSEY BOYS: The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is in performances from July 15 -31 for the first time ever at Great Plains Theatre! This Award-Winning Broadway Musical will have you singing along to "Sherry," "Walk Like A Man," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," and all your favorite Four Seasons Songs. Get your tickets before they sell out!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jersey Boys - The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at Great Plains Theatre
Join us for the international musical phenomenon that takes you behind the story and music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Come be a part of the challenges, the rise, and the ultimate triumph a group’s music that became symbolic of a generation. Oh, what a night! Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kansas Media Event - Abilene Night
Kick-off the return of the Central Kansas Free Fair with the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kansas Tourism, and travel writers from throughout the country. Enjoy seeing a longhorn cattle drive through Old Abilene Town, cowboy poetry from Ron Wilson, live music and more!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Central Kansas Free Fair
Located in Abilene, the Central Kansas Free Fair is one of the largest in the state. This family-friendly event offers educational activities and entertainment for all ages, including the Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo (August 3-6), which has been frequently voted one of the top outdoor rodeos. Join us for family fun in Abilene! Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After Rodeo Dance
Visit Old Abilene Town after the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo to enjoy the Lazy Wayne Band (Friday) and Savanna CHestnut and the Field Hands (Saturday).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chisholm Trail Days
Celebrate the historic cattle trail at the end of the Chisholm Trail.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery at Great Plains Theatre
The classic literary character of Sherlock Holmes is teamed up once again with John Watson and over 40 other characters to solve a kooky and educational whodunnit. “Elementary, my dear Watson, Elementary.”Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abilene Oktoberfest
Abilene Oktoberfest is excited for its 5th Annual Oktoberfest held in Downtown Abilene. There will be German Dancers, Music, Authentic German Food, & Drinks. This year we will have 3 beer gardens, multiple food vendors, Masskrugstemmen, Hammerschlagen, a corn hole tournament, and a Kids Korner that will feature bouncy houses, outdoor games, crafts, face painting, and much more. Downtown Abilene has several wonderful stores that will be open for you to explore before and during the festivities! We will have a lot of exciting announcements coming soon! Make sure to mark September 17th on your Calendar! We are excited to see you at this year's Abilene Oktoberfest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Heritage Day Festival
Enjoy living history, steam engine carousel rides, antique tractor show, classic car show, food, and much more at the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Greyhound Association Fall Nationals
See Greyhounds in action during the Fall Nationals! Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wild West Gravel Fest
In its third year, this premier gravel ride attracts riders from across the country! The Wild West Gravel Fest is a gravel bike race in Dickinson County, KS. With races ranging from 200k to 5k, Wild West Gravel Fest appeals to racers who are new to gravel and those who dare to push themselves to the extreme. And make sure to stick around for the after-party at Old Abilene Town. Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haunted Cowtown
The ghosts of Old Abilene Town have returned. Take a walk, if you dare, through your worst nightmare, the cursed schoolhouse, the possessed cabin, the haunted cemetery, the spooky saloon, and much more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pink Friday
We've all heard of Black Friday, American Express Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, but what about Pink Friday?
Pink Friday is a small business spin on the traditional Black Friday shopping experience, reminding people to #ShopSmallFirst.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Christmas Schooner - A New Musical at Great Plains Theatre
This Holiday treat will have you leaving the theatre with warm fuzzies about a story of the Great Lakes voyages of Christmas Tree ships and a family’s positive spirit to share the power of classic inspiration and Christmas miracles. The heartbeat of life is in our stories and our songs! Learn more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cowtown Christmas
Visit Abilene December 3-4, 2022 for the Heritage Homes Association’s Homes for the Holidays Tour, enjoy an Old Fashioned Christmas at the Dickinson County Heritage Center and Old Abilene Town, tour the historic Seelye Mansion and see more than 60 beautifully decorated Christmas Trees, ride the rails with Santa and the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, see the live production of The Christmas Schooner - A New Musical at Great Plains Theatre, take an evening cruise and see Griswold-style decorations, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see Santa, and remember to shop small all season long at Abilene’s small businesses.
|
|
|
|
|
Have an Abilene tourist-related event that isn't listed? Submit it here!
|
|
|
|
 |
Experience Art & Culture
|
|
|
|
Journey to the Old West
|
|
|
|
Live the American Story
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Explore Ike's Life & Legacy
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Enjoy Family Fun and Learning
|
|
|
|
|
|
201 NW Second St.
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2231
|
|
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
