Symphony at Sunset


The  Symphony at Sunset  Annual D-Day Commemoration Concert will be held Saturday, June 2, on the grounds of the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kan. This patriotic event is the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to all veterans.

The WWII pop-up museum opens at 1 p.m. Additional activities will begin at 4 p.m., and include the Fort Riley  Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard , Civil War encampment and a variety of activities for kids of all ages. Food and beverage vendors will be open, allowing concert enthusiasts to picnic on the grounds. The music begins at 5:30 p.m. with a local band favorite, Everyday Lights. The 1st Infantry Division Band performs at 7 p.m. with the Salina Symphony headlining the event at 8:30 p.m. just as the sun sets.

This year's concert will feature guest artists Tatiana Tessman on piano and Trevor Duell on trumpet.

Admission is by donation. Rain location will be Abilene High School Gymnasium.  This event is generously sponsored by Marshall Motors and the Eisenhower Foundation.

The museum building is undergoing a complete redesign and access to the library building exhibits will be restricted for event setup. However, boyhood home tours will be provided from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at a reduced admission of $3.

Pop-Up Museum
Show and Tell for Adults starts at 1p.m.! It's like a potluck of artifacts and memorabilia. People can sign up in advance by calling 785.263.6700. Just register with our Learning and Engagement Director. Bring your cool photos, artifacts, memorabilia related to WWII and share your stories with others. Note: weapons are not permitted on federal property.

Bus Available to Symphony at Sunset
The Symphony Office has arranged for a charter bus to and from Salina for the  Symphony at Sunset   event . Cost is $40 per person and reservations are required.  Please call the Symphony Office at 785-823-8309 by Wed., May 30, to reserve your seat.

Sons of the American Revolution Compatriot Grave Marking Ceremony
The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will commemorate the membership of Dwight Eisenhower with a grave marking ceremony at 2 p.m. The ceremony will be held at the Place of Meditation.

Click to view video interview from KSNT.

Admission by Donation

Rain Location: 
Abilene High School Gymnasium

Generously Sponsored by: 
Marshall Motors & Eisenhower Foundation

Additional sponsors include:
Family Eye Care of Abilene 
Dr. Lawrence Cooper, DDS 
Ameriprise Financial, Diana Miller
Reynolds Real Estate
Kollhoff Pharmacy, Junction City
50 reasons to hit the road: Discover these destinations within three hours of Topeka

In the mood for a day trip but not sure which direction you want to go or what you want to see? Here are 50 sites and events within a three-hour drive of Topeka that might be just what you're looking for. And who knows, you may end up taking several trips before summer ends.


Throwback Thursday


The Truth about Wild Bill - True West Magazine

Like most Old West iconis, gunfighter "Wild Bill" Hickok is shrouded in myths. He likely started many of them. 

5 Star Reviews - Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

train

What a nice way to spend the afternoon ! Entertaining and educational. We road in the open cars and enjoyed the sights as well as the sounds and smells.

- Derek F
Des Moines

KANSAS! Magazine's Weekend Getaways Finalists -- LAST DAY TO VOTE THURSDAY, MAY 31

Abilene named one of the 20 finalists for KANSAS! Magazine's Favorite Weekend Getaway contest.

Sometimes you just have to get away. Maybe as a couple, family or just some friends needing to unplug and reconnect. What's your favorite destination in Kansas to take a weekend getaway?

Voting has begun, you can vote daily through March 16 and May 31. Winning "Weekend Getaways" will be announced in the winter 2018 issue.
Readers' Choice Guidelines
  • Vote daily between now and May 31st.
  • Winners will be determined by the total number of votes received.
  • Winners will be revealed in the winter 2018 edition of the KANSAS!.
Please vote daily for Abilene using:


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

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

Historic Home & Barn Tour
Saturday, June 9
$65.00 - includes lunch, taxes and gratuities
Advance reservations required

Depart on the 10am train and return to Abilene by bus!

Ride the regular excursion train to Enterprise departing from Abilene at 10:00 AM. Transfer to the railroad's newly acquired air conditioned bus in Enterprise and proceed to the Historic 1880's J. S. Hollinger Farmstead for a tour of this historic home and a picnic lunch in the limestone barn.  After lunch the tour will then proceed to the Prospect Park Farm for a tour of the historic 1880's John Hiram Taylor home.  You will then return to Abilene by bus arriving around mid to late afternoon.

This trip is NOT handicap accessible and requires some walking and stair climbing in the historic homes.

Great Plains Theatre -  Camelot 

Camelot
The Classic Broadway musical of King Arthur and his Knights, specifically reimagined for more intimate theatre settings. Watch the tale you may already know unfold in new and exciting ways as the revelers whisk you away to Camelot!

Rated PG

Click here to see interviews with the cast! 

Showtimes:
Friday, June 8, 7:30 PM
Followed by: Afterglow
Saturday, June 9, 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 10, 2:00 PM

Tuesday, June 10, 2:00 PM
Wednesday, June 13, 2:00 PM
Thursday, June 14, 7:30 PM
Friday, June 15, 7:30 PM
Followed By: Cabaret
Saturday, June 16, 7:30 PM
Sunday, June 17, 2:00 PM
 

Thank you to our Season Sponsor: Astra Bank
Thank you to our Show Sponsors: Kollhoff Pharmacy, Reynolds Real Estate
Thank you to our Theatre Thursday Sponsor: First Bank Kansas, Advantage Trust

THEATRE THURSDAY
Discount Tickets!
Individual Tickets are available for purchase for our Mainstage productions of Camelot, Lion In Winter, Shrek The Musical, and Not Another Christmas Letter! The Musical.

Here at Great Plains Theatre, we want everyone to be able to experience Live Professional Theatre, and we found a few corporate sponsors to help us make that happen. Thanks to Midwest Concrete Materials, Inc. Land Pride, First Bank Kansas and Advantage Trust for their sponsorship, we have reduced the price of individual tickets on Thursday nights to $20 for adults, and $10 for students. This is an incredible savings, so tell your friends and come see a show!

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. - 8:00 p.m.

Sunday
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 


Special event - Twain 4 Twainiacs


Saturday, June 9 
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
*Note Location* Greyhound Hall of Fame 

Ken Church portrays Mark Twain in his one man performance entitled "Twain 4 Twainiacs." No admission, open for all ages.

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:
  • Symphony & Sunset @ Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home - Eisenhower Presidential Library lawn - June 2
  • Camelot @ Great Plains Theatre - June 8-10, 12-17
  • Twain for Twainiacs @ Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum - June 9.
  • Independence Day Celebration - July 4
  • The Lion in Winter @ Great Plains Theatre - July 13-15, 17-22
  • Central Kansas Free Fair - August 1-6
  • Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo - August 2-4
  • National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo - August 2-4
  • Shrek the Musical @ Great Plains Theatre - August 10-12, 14-19
  • Not Another Christmas Letter @ Great Plains Theatre - November 30-December 2, 4-9
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.