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Abilene CVB
The Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the marketing arm of the City, providing services to tourists, groups convening in Abilene and marketing of the community.
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KANSAS! Magazine Top 20 "Best Local Eats"
Last spring we promoted voting for KANSAS! Magazine's Readers' Choice "Best Local Eats" contest. The top nominations then competed for a chance to be featured in the magazine.
Congratulations to Abilene's
Three One One for being named #1 in the "Best Local Eats" competition.
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5 Day Trips Near Fort Riley
Right and Up, a blog that provides information about what there's to do in and around military bases, recently featured a story about Fort Riley and Abilene. Click
here to read.
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The following schedule was compiled in partnership with the Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce, Abilene Parks & Recreation department and Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau:
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
TIME:
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EVENT/
LOCATION/SPONSOR
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| 9:30-11:00 a.m. |
Breakfast with Santa
Coordinated by Abilene Parks & Rec
Ages: All Ages
Location: Abilene Civic Center
Cost: $5 per person, 2 and under are free.
Breakfast will include a cinnamon roll and juice.
Activities include: coloring and craft table, story time and a chance to visit with Santa Clause.
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| 1:30-3:30 p.m. |
Christmas Open House
Abilene Public Library
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| 2:00-7:00 p.m. |
Candy Cane Lane
Distribution of Candy Cane Lane bags, provided by Rivendell Bookstore. Distribution point to be determined. Children will collect treats from businesses displaying a Candy Cane on their door.
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| 2:00-7:00 p.m. |
Reindeer Food
Rivendell Bookstore |
| 4:00-5:30 p.m. |
Griswold Family Photos
Stephens Chiropractic |
| 4:00-7:00 p.m. |
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Sponsored by the Abilene CVB
Christmas Carolers around town
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| 4:00-8:00 p.m. |
Abilene Homes for the Holiday Tour
Tickets Available at Abilene CVB Visitors Center |
| 5:30 p.m. (line up) / 5:45 p.m. (start) |
Christmas Parade
Coordinated by Abilene Parks & Rec |
| 6:00 p.m. |
Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting
Abilene Civic Center |
| 6:00-8:00 p.m. |
Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus for goodies
Abilene Civic Center
Sponsored by the Abilene CVB
Photos with Santa
Photos by Cory Keller |
| 7:00 p.m. |
Night of Christmas Magic drawings |
| 7:00 p.m. |
Turkey Toss
Sponsored by the Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce |
| 7:30 p.m. |
Peter and the Starcatcher
Great Plains Theatre |
| December 1-15, 2017 |
Christmas Window Decorating Contest |
*Schedule will be updated as activities are added.
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A rich assortment of homes, from
quite small to positively generous, will be featured in the 2017 Homes for the Holidays tour,
Dec. 2 and 3
.
A beautifully preserved Craftsman style home owned by Lauren Baune and Sandra Bacon,
904 N. Kuney
, was built in 1919 by T. Lester Welsh, an executive with Abilene Flour Mills. One of its features is quite uncommon - a walkway across the stairs leading to the second floor. The home was owned by immediate family members until 2014.
Another home with strong ties to Abilene's essential history is owned by Mark and Kathy Struss,
1106 N. Buckeye
. It was 1955. Dwight D. Eisenhower, perhaps the most famous living general in the world, was now president of the United States, and the Eisenhower museum had just been completed. J. Earl Endacott, the museum's first director, built this home. Today, Kathy works for the presidential library.
One of the more memorable homes on the tour is owned by Connie Brunner, 305 N. Vine. Built in 1895 and modest from the outside, it is stuffed with extraordinary collectibles from around the world.
Another outstanding example of Craftsman style is the home owned by Mary Burtzloff,
702 N. Cedar
. It was built by Henry Litts, mayor of Abilene from 1924-29, and today exhibits an appealing mix of original woodwork, period accessories and modern conveniences.
Homes that pass through many owners often reflect the individual tastes and preferences of the people who lived there. The house at 803 N. Cedar is a case in point. Built in 1886, it has been home to a hardware store owner, retired farmer, accountant, teacher and a railroad conductor. Today it houses the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program, which provides a space for women to network and refresh.
Rounding out the line-up are the First United Methodist Church,
601 N. Cedar
, and the Volkmann Cabin at the Dickinson County Historical Society. 412 S. Campbell. Both locations will offer refreshments.
Tickets for the tour, which will be from
4 to 8 pm
on
Saturday, Dec. 2
, and from
1 to 5 pm
on
Sunday, Dec. 3
, are $10 and will be available from the Abilene CVB and the historical society.
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Abilene is not only the hometown of Five-Star General and President Eisenhower, but also five-star businesses and attractions.
Greyhound Hall of Fame:
Every time I visit Abilene, I go by the museum & walk through it again. The place is so calming. The employees are so sweet, they feel like family. The greeting dogs help to make those who couldn't bring their greyhounds, get their petting fix. Its always well taken care of on both the outside & inside. Their gift shop & books to buy, wonderful.
-Hilda Taylor
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Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Santa Train
Date: Saturday, December 9
Depart Time: 1:00 p.m.
Ticket Price: $10.00 (All Ages)
Location: Abilene Smoky Valley Train Depot 200 S.E. 5th St., Abilene
Buy your tickets early! Seats are limited. The Abilene Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a holiday train ride with the Abilene Smoky Valley Railroad Association. Santa always enjoys the ride with everyone. He also enjoys seeing old and new faces. The train ride is approximately 45 minutes long. It travels from the historic Abilene Depot to one mile west of Enterprise and back.
The passengers will ride in the enclosed heated car with Santa.
Ms. Cheryl from the Abilene Children's Library will be aboard.
Santa will be available to listen to your Christmas wish list and you may have your picture taken with him.
You must pre-register for this train ride. There will be no tickets sold the day of the train ride! No exceptions! Register by calling: (785) 263-7266.
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Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home
Chisholm Trail and the Cowtown that Raised a President
Exhibit in the Museum Temporary Gallery until May 2018
Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail, which brought nearly two million cattle from Texas to the railhead in Abilene, Kansas, between 1867 and 1871. See rare artifacts and historic photographs. Learn about the square meal, the real McCoy, origins of the cowboy boot, and "the wickedest town in the West." Discover stories behind the legends of T.C. McInerney, Bear River Smith, and Wild Bill Hickok among others. Find out why Dwight Eisenhower developed a love for all things western in the Cowtown that raised a President!
Eisenhower and the Great War
Exhibit in the Upstairs Library Gallery until May 2018
War erupted in Europe in 1914 and soon involved nations around the globe. The Great War, as it became known, shocked the world with its massive scope and the industrial-like slaughter created by advances in military technology. The United States reluctantly joined the conflict in 1917 and began to build a large professional army from the ground up. One of the young officers who helped in this endeavor was a lieutenant by the name of Dwight Eisenhower. Eisenhower showed remarkable talent for organization and leadership during the years of American involvement in the war. Tasked with training thousands of inexperienced troops in the new and untested art of armored warfare, Eisenhower quickly built a strong and motivated group of soldiers while overcoming severe obstacles and setbacks. This exhibit tells the story of the Great War and its influence on Eisenhower's leadership abilities. World War I, as it would become known later in the century, proved critical to the making of this American Icon.
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Great Plains Theatre
Get Your Tickets Now!
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DATE
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EVENT
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LOCATION
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DETAILS |
| 11/27/2017 - 12/31/2017 |
Seelye Mansion Christmas Tours |
Seelye Mansion |
Daily |
| 12/1/2017 - 12/31/2017 |
Christmas Tree Lane |
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| 12/1/2017 - 12/10/2017 |
GPT Mainstage Production "Peter and the Starcatcher" |
Great Plains Theatre |
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| 12/2/2017 |
7th Annual Christmas Tea Party |
Abilene's Victorian Inn |
1:30 p.m.
Call for reservations (785) 263-7774
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| 12/2/2017 |
Night of Christmas Magic |
Downtown Abilene / Abilene Civic Center |
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| 12/3/2017 |
Abilene Municipal Band Holiday Concert |
Eisenhower Visitors Center |
2:00 p.m. |
| 12/2/2017 - 12/3/2017 |
Homes for the Holidays Tour |
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Stay in Abilene
Abilene Lodging Establishments
Abilene
is home to more than 200 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, spend the night and enjoy all
Abilene
has to offer.
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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
.
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