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Abilene Tourism Advocate
May 19, 2022
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Best Historic Small Town - USA Today Readers (2021) |
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A Story-Worthy Adventure in North Central Kansas |
Who doesn’t love a good story? The North Central region of Kansas introduces inspiring characters like former President Dwight D. Eisenhower (who loved reading history books as a boy in Abilene), “Home on the Range” poet Dr. Brewster Higley, and S.P. Dinsmoor, whose quirky cement sculptures reflected his political views. At Wamego’s OZ Museum, learn how a children’s novel about a Kansas farm girl swept up in a tornado became one of the most-watched movies of all time. By the time you’re finished exploring, you’ll have volumes worth of memories to share back home.
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Vote Now! Best Historic Small Town
USA TODAY announced Abilene as a finalist in its Best Historic Small Town contest category for the fourth year in a row. Supporters are encouraged to visit AbileneKansas.org/votenow to vote daily in this online contest. In 2021, Abilene ranked #4 in the nationwide competition. Abilene ranked #2 and #8, respectively, in the 2020 and 2019 contests.
“This recognition four years in a row showcases our success in marketing Abilene as the best historic small town to visit,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau director. “Ranking in a nationwide contest is a big deal for a small Kansas community and something businesses, attractions, employees, volunteers and residents should be proud of.”
As of May 18, Abilene ranked #1 out of 20 finalists.
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Registration Opens
Registration is now open for The Cowboy Up 5k run/2-mile walk. This year's race will be Saturday, August 13, 2022. Proceeds from the race benefit Abilene High School Cowboy and Cowgirl athletics and activities.
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Abilene Municipal Band Announces Schedule
Turning 141 years old, Abilene's Municipal Band is one of the oldest municipal bands in the state.
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Small Town Presidents
I don’t know how many small-town Presidents there are. This spring we visited two small-town Presidents’ museums and libraries. It was fascinating. Bill Clinton was from Hope, Arkansas. Dwight Eisenhower was from Abilene, Kansas. Both Presidents are from very small towns. All the other Presidental Libraries that we visited were about small-town Presidents. Thus the title, small-town Presidents.
Eisenhower Library
Until we visited the Clinton Library, we didn’t know about the Eisenhower Library. While talking to one of the staff at the Clinton Library, he mentioned that he wasn’t really that impressed with the Eisenhower Library. He thought of it as rather meager. That was enough for me. If it was along the way, and it was not as impressive, I had to see it. He was wrong. There was nothing about the Eisenhower Library that wasn’t impressive.
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Note: The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is currently open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. for guests to explore the museum exhibits, gift shop, campus grounds, and the Place of Meditation.
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Summer Kick-Off Concert
Enjoy food, activities, and an event concert featuring Sunset Sinners at Old Abilene Town.
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Symphony at Sunset
Commemorate D-Day at this annual outdoor concert held on the grounds of the Eisenhower Presidential Library. The Salina Symphony, joined by the 1st Infantry Division Band, will present a concert of patriotic favorites and World War II era classics featuring vocalist Janie Brokenicky. Learn more
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Footloose the Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Kick off your Sunday shoes with this classic movie turned musical about inspiring a town through the importance of love and dance while witnessing the powers of wisdom and forgiveness. Gotta cut loose! Learn more
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Showdown at Old Abilene Town
Professional boxing, pro/am MMA and kickboxing event by Never Surrender at the historic Old Abilene Town!
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Matilda the Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Follow the classic Roald Dahl story of an astonishingly witty girl with special powers that teaches us to use our extraordinary imaginations to change our destiny. Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty! Learn more
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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
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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!
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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
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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).
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Chisholm Trail Days
Celebrate the historic cattle trail at the end of the Chisholm Trail.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Have an Abilene tourist-related event that isn't listed? Submit it here!
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Experience Art & Culture
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Journey to the Old West
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Live the American Story
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Explore Ike's Life & Legacy
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Enjoy Family Fun and Learning
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201 NW Second St.
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2231
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Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
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