Abilene Tourism Advocate
June 24, 2021
2021 Best U.S. Small Town - TravelAwaits
4 Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July in Abilene, Kansas
Independence Day is right around the corner, and this list of four ways to celebrate the 4th of July will make you want to celebrate the holiday weekend in Abilene, Kansas!
Latest News
How to appreciate the beauty of Kansas like an out-of-state tourist
Our host told a story as the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad excursion train pulled away from town: Years ago, a local young woman turned down the offer of a date from a local young man — he was not counted among the area’s most desirable suitors, and pressure from her family to say no was too great to risk saying yes.

That young man was Dwight D. Eisenhower.

For those hitching a ride on the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, President Eisenhower is ever-present. For me, with childhood roots in Kansas and a previous trip to his Presidential library under my belt, the local admiration for Ike was not new. For my group of friends visiting from the East Coast, the history was captivating. For all of us, the entire experience dug deeper than the history. This was not a simple historical tour. Instead, it illustrated what this region of Kansas has to offer.
Get the best of the Midwest with these KC summer day trips
The time is here for summer vacations! The school year is through and the continuing re-openings have us all craving a getaway. Did you know that there are some amazing destinations relatively close to home? If you are looking for a new and exciting locale that you can visit simply by hitting the road– look no further!
Abilene theater's 'Grease' features talented cast, lots of fun
Abilene’s Great Plains Theater is about 45 minutes from Aggieville. The company, which uses some professional actors, is now in its 27th season. We drove out to see the first night of the second show of the year, a production of “Grease.”

Which turned out to be full of fun. The cast was so young looking and the set so basic that we might have had misgivings. But it turned out that Director Mitchell Aiello had a talented cast, good costumes (dig the satin Pink Lady jackets), an effective on-stage band, and a notion of how to keep things moving along.
Upcoming Events
June
11-27
Great Plains Theatre Presents Grease
We've got chills...of excitement bringing this hair-greasing, hydromatic, hopelessly devoted show to Great Plains Theatre! You're the one that we want!
August
4-7
Wednesday-Saturday
75th Annual Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo
The Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo named one of the top 5 professional outdoor rodeos in America for 1995, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2011, and 2016; and the Top Large Outdoor Rodeo in the Prairie Circuit for 2003, brings you America’s original extreme sport. 

PRCA Rodeo at its finest… saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, women’s barrel racing, bull riding! Over 500 cowboys and cowgirls compete for over $37,500 in added prize money, plus entertaining specialty acts between events!
September
3-4
Friday &Saturday
Chisholm Trail Days
Celebrate the historic cattle trail at the railhead at the end of the Chisholm Trail. See a Draft Horse pull on September 3 and enjoy a Sons of the Pioneers performance on September 4.
Community Spotlight
 
 
 
 
Community Members Rally to Bid on Historic Set of Longhorns

Update: Thank you to the more than 50 donors for supporting this effort! The live auction is Saturday, June 26.

Learn more about the Bulls Head Saloon owner, "Shotgun" Ben Thompson here.

Donors as of 6/22/2021:

  1. Abilene Kansas Rotary Club
  2. Abilene Physical Therapy and Sports Rehab - Tonya Mills
  3. Anonymous
  4. John & April Barker
  5. Bennington State Bank
  6. Allison Blake
  7. Chuck & Ann Brussow
  8. Tom & Penny Capsey
  9. Cody & Becky Chase
  10. Glen & Joan Dawson
  11. First Bank Kansas
  12. Alex Foltz
  13. Tony & Sarah Geiger
  14. Anjan Ghosh (pledge)
  15. Sarah Green
  16. Daniel Hale
  17. Rob & Dawn Hammatt
  18. Tim & Brenda Holm
  19. Michael & Amy Hook
  20. Bill & Marlene Howe
  21. Ingermanson Farms
  22. Twila Jackson
  23. JRI Hospitality
  24. Michael Kaiser
  25. Jacque Karl (pledge)
  26. Andrew & Lisa Kijowski
  27. Michael & Jacque Kijowski
  28. Todd & Kelli Kohman
  29. Doug & Marlene Lindahl
  30. John & Mary McDonald
  31. Memorial Health System employees (pledge)
  32. Anita Miller (pledge)
  33. Diana Miller - Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
  34. Genevieve Nachtman
  35. John Nachtman
  36. Suzanne Ryan-Numrich
  37. Pinnacle Bank
  38. Wanda Pitney
  39. Barbara Rairden
  40. Jim & Teresa Reimer
  41. Brandon Rein
  42. Curtis & Sandy Rein
  43. Terry Schmidt
  44. Gregory Schmitt
  45. Becky Schwab - NextHome Unlimited
  46. Dr. Steve Schwarting
  47. Jeff & Meredith Sleichter
  48. Carol Spitcaufsky
  49. Lyle & Sara Squires
  50. Stephens Chiropractic (pledge)
  51. Jason & Jamie Stroda
  52. Ann Strunk
  53. Brian J. Tajchman - American Family Insurance (pledge)
  54. Ryan & Julie Roller Weeks
  55. Lowell & Paige Westfall
  56. Bryan and Cassy Wilson
  57. David & Julie Wilson
  58. Evan & Annette Wilson
  59. Bruce & Denise Youtsey
 
 
 
 
5 Times to See Live Music at Old Abilene Town

Live music returns to Abilene this summer at Old Abilene Town! Check out this list of five live music events to add to your calendar.
201 NW Second St.
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2231
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed