Chisholm Trail 150th Anniversary

Thank you to Abilene's McDonald Family for hosting the 2017  Symphony in the Flint Hills! If you loved listening to  Michael Martin Murphy and watching the glorious longhorns parade across the prairie, then don't miss the  Trails, Rails, and Tales celebration commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the Chisholm Trail Labor Day weekend in Abilene. 
Welcome, Explorers!

It's a great day in Abilene when...Marci & WenDee drop off more copies of their Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers! Guidebooks are available for $30 (tax included). Thanks to everyone who has purchased a copy! Don't delay, get yours today and start exploring Kansas!

Co-authors Marci Penner and WenDee Rowe spent four years going to every one of the 626 incorporated cities in Kansas to research for the new  Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers

The result is a 6 x 9" coil-bound book with 4,500 entries and more than 1,600 pictures. The entries feature 515 incorporated cities in all 105 counties and 97 unincorporated communities.
 
The book is divided into six regions, and counties in that region are listed in alphabetical order as are the cities within each county.  Entries include directions, hours, websites and contact numbers.
 
The new  Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers made its debut  at the Kansas Sampler Festival May 6-7. You can purchase the book from the Kansas Sampler Foundation, at the Abilene Visitors Center Gift Shop or other local stores near you. This book is not available on Amazon.


Air Race Classic Brings more than 100 Pilots to Abilene

Next week Abilene will welcome racers for the Air Race Classic. Check out this list of impressive pilots including: Ariel Tweto. 

"Welcome Ariel Tweto (Anchorage, AK) to her first ARC! Ariel holds a Private pilot certificate, single-engine land, with 150 hours in her logbook. She is known to TV audiences from the show "Flying Wild Alaska,"  about her family's aviation businesses, which she helped develop."
 
 
Hickok Update

As of now, the film will be released in theaters in 11 cities on 7/7/17 with Kansas City being the closest to Abilene. The film will also be released digitally and On Demand that same day. The DVD and Blu-Ray will be available on 8/15. 

Plot Outline:
Infamous gunslinger and outlaw "Wild Bill" Hickok (Luke Hemsworth) attempts to escape his past by settling in the small town of Abilene, Kansas. The mayor (Kris Kristofferson), captivated by Wild Bill's unparalleled gun skills, offers him a job as the town marshal. Attempts to protect the town are soon challenged when a band of outlaws threaten Wild Bill and the laws he administered. Among the outlaws are powerful saloon owner Phil Poe (Trace Adkins), whose relationship with Bill's ex-lover (Cameron Richardson) stirs tension. Poe puts a bounty on Wild Bill's head but with the help of lawman Hardin aka Little Arkansas, Wild Bill sets out to fight the villainous bandits and save Abilene from danger.


Throwback Thursday

Abilene, Kansas: Last Square Meal

From the Abilene Weekly Reflector, July 16, 1885


2017 Best of the Best! 
Salina Journal Readers Choice Awards 

Abilene businesses need your help to win this important award! 

Everyone is eligible to vote once a day starting June 1st through June 18th.

  Voting for a business is as Easy as 1-2-3!
  1. Visit the ballot page at Salina.com/contest and click Register/Login to register to vote.
  2. Provide your email address and create a password or Login if you are already registered.
  3. Vote on 25 or more sub-categories, to be registered to win a $500 Gift Card!
Make sure to check all categories for Abilene businesses. For example) Abilene's Holm Automotive is listed in multiple categories.

Thank you for being a part of the Best of the Best Awards!
Seelye Mansion Review
Trip Advisor

Have you visited an Abilene business or attraction? Make sure to share your experience by leaving reviews.

Trivia Thursday

What is the statue of "Little Ike" wearing on his feet?

Spend Father's Day in Abilene!
Treat Dad to a tasty meal from one of these restaurants!

- Amanda's Bakery & Bistro: Open 9 am - 3 pm Saturday; closed Sunday
- Brookville Hotel: Open 11:30 - 8 pm Saturday; Open 11:30 am - 7 pm Sunday
- Ike's Place: Open 11 am - Midnight Saturday; Open 11 am - 9 pm Sunday
- Joe Snuffy's Old Fashioned Grill: Open 8 am - 9:30 pm Saturday; Open 7 am - 8:30 pm Sunday
- La Fiesta: Open 11 am - 10 pm Saturday & Sunday
- M&R Grill: Open 11 am - 10 pm Saturday; Open 11 am - 3 pm Sunday
- The Hitching Post: Open 6 am - 8 pm Saturday; Open 6 am - 2 pm Sunday
- Three One One: Open 11 am - 8:30 pm Saturday; closed Sunday
- Tossed'n'Sauced Pizza: Open 11 am - 9 pm Saturday; Open 11 am - 8 pm Sunday.
 
 
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Steam Trains

trainPlan your trip on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's Steam Locomotive #3415.
 
In July, the restored former ATSF 4-6-2 "Pacific" #3415 steam locomotive will be operating. This engine sat in Eisenhower Park in Abilene, Kansas for more than 40 years, having been retired by the Santa Fe Railroad in the 1950's.  The City of Abilene donated the 3415 to the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad.  It took more than four years to restore the locomotive to operating condition with about 12,000 volunteer hours and the help of two grants.
 
The train departs Abilene eastbound for a 10½ mile round trip through the Smoky Hill River Valley to the neighboring community of Enterprise, KS.  In Enterprise, the train stops for riders to see the Hoffman Grist Mill, with a rebuilt working waterwheel that mills flour.
 
The railroad is operated by volunteers, which includes engineers, conductors, brakemen, car attendants that narrate every trip and depot workers.  Volunteers also take care of the mechanical and track maintenance.
  • Date: July 1,3 and 4 (10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.); July 2 (2:00 p.m.); July 22 (10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.); and July 23 (2:00 p.m.)
  • Contact Phone: (785) 263-1077
  • Address: 200 SE Fifth Street 
  • Reservations required
  • Admission: $30 (adults), $15 (children ages 3-11) and free (children 2 and younger)
  • Note: Make sure to visit the newly opened Fred Schmidt Railroad Museum inside of former freight room in the depot!
Dickinson County Heritage Center

2017 Memories of the Prairie Schedule

June 17 - Joe Basso - Origin of Expressions

June 24 - John K. Burchill - Cowboys and Clerics

July 1 - Ann Walter - Waterville, KS, The End of the Chisholm Trail

July 8 - Nolan Sump - Life and Times of a German Immigrant Farmer

July 15 - Marla Matkin - Mrs. Custer. This is also the ice cream social, which starts at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a baked goods sale.

All programs are free of charge and are held at the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

"Home Front to Battlefront" Discussion at Next Lunch and Learn Program

Author Frank Lavin will share the story of his father's World War II journey during the next Lunch and Learn program at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. This free public program begins at  noon  on  Thursday, June 15  in the Visitors Center Auditorium and will include a light lunch  as part of the Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation Speaker Series .

Home Front to Battlefront  is the story of Carl Lavin who was a high school senior in Canton, Ohio, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He enlisted at the age of 18, a decision that would take him to combat with the 84th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge. Home Front to Battlefron t is the tale of a foot soldier thrust into a world where he and his unit grapple with the horrors of combat, the idiocies of bureaucracy and the oddities of life back home--all in the same day. The book is based on Carl's personal letters, his recollections and those of the people he served beside, official military history and private papers.

Frank Lavin is the son of Carl Lavin. Frank has served as U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, a White House aide and Undersecretary of Commerce. He is the CEO and founder of Export Now, a U.S. firm that helps companies sell on-line in China from their home offices. Lavin is also a columnist for Forbes.com and co-author of Export Now: Five Keys to Entering New Markets .

Following the program, Lavin will be available to sign copies of Home Front to Battlefront,  available for purchase in the Presidential Gift Shop.

 
Great Plains Theatre

PGP Youth Programs / Summer Camp
 
Footlights Camps
Week 1 and Week 2

An all-day theatre camp focusing on the fundamental elements of character, story, and stage craft. Fun learning is our motto as we teach vocal production, improvisation, storytelling, and imagination building, culminating each week with an original production. Camp weeks may be taken together or separately.
Grades K-5
June 19-23
June 26-30
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost: $125/each week 

 
Greyhound News

Heart of America Greyhound Gathering

Halfway Home Greyhound Adoption is planning the most ambitious and exciting Greyhound Gathering June 21 - 24, 2017, in the heart of greyhound country Abilene, Kansas. They will be celebrating greyhounds and the people that love them. 

New this year - Wednesday, June 21 will be a fun filled afternoon of exploring Abilene, visiting the antique malls, Old town Abilene, Eisenhower Presidential Library, and the famous carousel. The day will end with a FREE cookout at Eisenhower Park located next to Sterl Hall, followed by a greyhound pet parade, with the public invited.
Old Abilene Town

Gunfight Performances

Visit Old Abilene Town on Saturdays at noon, 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to enjoy their famous gunfight performances. 

In addition, the Alamo Saloon is open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Calendar of Events


Stay in Abilene

Abilene Lodging Establishments

Abilene  is home to 202 rooms. Whether you're in town to visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum, enjoy a show at the Great Plains Theatre, attend the Central Kansas Free Fair, meet with greyhound industry leaders or take a ride on the  Abilene  & Smoky Valley Railroad, we invite you to extend your visit and spend the night and enjoy all  Abilene  has to offer.
Help us, help you

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 .

STAY CONNECTED