Save the Date!


GPT Announces New Executive Director

Great Plains Theatre is proud to announce that Chris Delay has been named as the new Executive Director at the start of the 25th season.

GPT Board President, John Kolhoff, said, "Chris Delay is the obvious choice for Executive Director. His backgroun d in theatre and knowledge of the Abilene community will prove invaluable for the continued success of Great Plains Theatre."

Chris Delay is an Abilene native and former vice president of the GPT board of directors. He has served as an educator for the past 19 years (the last 7 for USD 435) and has directed countless Kansas youth in high school and middle school theatre programs. Chris' wife, Jenna, is Principal of Abilene Middle School, and his three children, Harlie, Dylan, and Kenlie, have played active roles both onstage and off in a multitude of Plain Great Players productions.

Mr. Delay has a long history with GPT originating back to the theatre's start. "I am very excited to continue my involvement with this great organization. Great Plains Theatre has been a part of my family's lives since its opening season. I am humbled by the board's support and look forward to the opportunity to bring live theatre arts and 5-star entertainment to my hometown community. Having experienced GPT from on stage, back stage, and the audience, it is an honor to have the opportunity to lead Great Plains Theatre into its 25th season and look forward to the next 25!" 

The 25th season of Great Plains Theatre begins June 14th with Pirates of Penzance. Season tickets as well as single show tickets are available by calling the box office at (785) 263-4574 or by purchasing direct at www.greatplainstheatre.com. Great Plains Theatre is dedicated to enriching lives through theatre. Join us for some plain great entertainment!
The Best Book Store In Kansas: Rivendell Book Store

We now live in an age where digital is all the rage. Rivendell Book Store will encourage you to take a step back in time. I'm all about holding an actual book in my hand and sharing stories with others. You can expect to speak with someone who is knowledgeable and has a passion for reading.
 
USA TODAY 10Best nomination for Abilene

We did it again! Abilene is a finalist is USA Today's 10Best Contest. Please vote daily for Abilene, Kansas as the Best Historic Small Town!
 
Because of your help, Abilene's Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum received USA Today's 10Best Award for Best Kansas Attraction in 2018. While it's an honor to be nominated, we need your help to keep the winning streak alive and garner more positive publicity for our 5-star community!
 
-Julie Roller
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau director
 

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Leaderboard as of 4/10/2019


Abilene Welcomes Greyhound Fans

The Greyhound Capital of the World will welcome Greyhounds, their owners, trainers and fans next week for Spring National 2019. 

Eisenhower Marathon Results

At age 53, Tim Mosbacher still has some lofty goals as a runner.

Once he completes his tour of 50 marathons in 50 states - he now has six left - and checks the big three of Chicago, Boston and New York off his list, he'd love to take on the world.

"I'd like to do the world majors," Mosbacher said Saturday morning, minutes after making Kansas the 44th state on his state list with a victory in the Eisenhower Marathon. "I'll have the three done in the United States, so I'd like to do Berlin, Tokyo and London.

"It gives you an opportunity to see different places in the country. I've never been in Abilene, Kansas."

Abilene Around Kansas

Traveling? Take note of Abilene promotional materials at each of your stops!

Try out the Kansas I-70 Association's Snapchat Filter at the Goodland Travel Information Center.
 
Take a selfie with Ike & Mamie at the Goodland Travel Information Center. (Sponsored by Abilene CVB)

Pick up a copy of the 2019 Kansas Travel Guide for more information about places to visit in Kansas!


Pick up a copy of the 2019 Kansas Travel Guide and Abilene Visitors Guide at the Oasis Travel Center in Colby!

Throwback Thursday
 
The Manhattan Mercury - April 23,1970







5 Star Reviews - Heritage Center of Dickinson County
 
2019 Calendar of Events

2019 marks 150 years since the City of Abilene's official incorporation. Community events make Abilene not only a great place to live, but also a great place to visit. Make plans now to visit Abilene, Kansas and enjoy these great events! 

Take the Abilene Event Challenge - how many can you attend? Snap a photo and tag us in your Facebook posts @VisitAbilene.


EVENT

WHEN

LOCATION
LEARN MORE
Easter Bunny Train Saturday, April 13 @ 1 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
National Greyhound Association Spring Nationals April 15-20 National Greyhound Association
Eisenhower Easter Egg Roll Saturday, April 20 @ 1 pm Eisenhower Presidential Library grounds
Eisenhower with Louis Galambos Thursday, April 25 @ Noon - 1 pm Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center
Reitz & Rust Vintage Market
Saturday, April 27 @ 10 am
Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
Arts & Ales Saturday, April 27 Downtown Abilene
Abilene Aviation Association Fly-In  Saturday, May 4 Abilene Municipal Airport
Race for the Stars - 9th Annual 5K Race by women to benefit women Saturday, May 4 @ 9 am Brown's Park
National Travel & Tourism Week May 5-11
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
National Travel & Tourism Week After Hours May 9, 5-7 pm
Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum

Holm Automotive Car Show May 11
Holm Automotive

Antique Fest Saturday, May 11 Downtown Abilene
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, May 11 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Mother's Day Tea Saturday, May 11 Eisenhower Presidential Library
The Road to Abilene with Tim Rives and William Snyder Thursday, May 23 @ Noon - 1 pm Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center Auditorium
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, May 25 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides Saturday, May 25 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Sunday, May 26 @ 2 pm
Monday, May 27 @ 10 am & 2 pm		 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Symphony at Sunset
Saturday, June 1
Eisenhower Presidential Library grounds
75th anniversary of D-Day Thursday, June 6 Eisenhower Presidential Library
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides Thursday, June 6 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Friday, June 7 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Saturday, June 8 @ 10 am & 2 pm


 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, June 8 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad 
Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Mr. K's Farmhouse Saturday, June 8 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Pirates of Penzance June 14-23 Great Plains Theatre
Heart of America Greyhound Gathering June 20-22 Sterl Hall
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, June 22 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Disaster! July 12-21 Great Plains Theatre
Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration July 4 Eisenhower Park
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Thursday, July 4 @10 am & 2 pm
Friday, July 5 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Saturday, July 6 @10 am & 2 pm		 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Mr. K's Farmhouse Saturday, July 6 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, July 13 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo
Wednesday, July 31 - Saturday, August 3
Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
Central Kansas Free Fair
Wednesday, July 31 - Monday, August 5
Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
 August 2-18 Great Plains Theatre
National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo August 2-3 Shockey & Landes Building
Vintage Base Ball Game Saturday, August 3 Eisenhower Presidential Library grounds
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, August 10 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, August 31 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Chisholm Trail Days Saturday, August 31 - Sunday, September 1 Old Abilene Town
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Saturday, August 31 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Sunday, September 1 @ 2 pm
Monday, September 2 @ 10 am & 2 pm		 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, September 14 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Hitching Post Restaurant)
 Saturday, September 14 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, September 28 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Heritage Day Saturday, October 5 Dickinson County Heritage Center
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Saturday, October 5 @ 10 am - 3 pm (hourly departures)

 Dickinson County Heritage Center
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Sunday, October 6 @ 2 pm (last steam run of the year)
 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, October 12 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Mr. K's Farmhouse Saturday, October 12 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Empires Fall October 18-27 Great Plains Theatre
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, October 26 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Tombstone Talks Saturday, October 26 Abilene Cemetery
Makin' Magic - 25 Years of Fun November 29 - December 15 Great Plains Theatre
Abilene's Victorian Inn Christmas Afternoon Tea Saturday, December 7 Abilene's Victorian Inn
Heritage Homes Association's Homes for the Holidays Tour Saturday, December 7
Sunday, December 8		 Varies each year
Night of Christmas Magic Saturday, December 7 Downtown Abilene
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  Julie@abilenecityhall.com.

ATTRACTION & EVENT UPDATES

Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home


Big Sonia , a holocaust survival documentary, will be shown at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 14, at the Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center Auditorium, 200 SE 4th Street. The program is free and open to the public.
 
Sonia Warshawski is one of the last remaining Holocaust survivors in the Kansas City area and has been an inspirational public speaker for decades. Standing tall at 4'8", Sonia's enormous personality and fragile frame mask the horrors she endured. At the age of 15, she watched her mother disappear into a gas chamber. Sonia's teenage years were a blur of concentration camps and death marches as she survived three death camps. On April 15, 1945, she was rescued when Bergen-Belsen concentration camp was liberated by British soldiers.
 
This documentary was filmed by Sonia's granddaughter, Leah Warshawski, and her husband, Todd Soliday. They describe it as "a 'non-Holocaust, Holocaust movie' - packed with lessons that are important and relevant now, more than ever." A poignant story of generational trauma and healing, "Big Sonia" also offers a laugh-out-loud funny portrait of the power of love to triumph over bigotry, and the power of truth-telling to heal us all. Her story must never be forgotten.
 
This Holocaust Remembrance Month documentary screening is made possible courtesy of the Eisenhower Foundation's IKEducation program. A brief discussion following the film will be held in partnership with the Arts Council of Dickinson County.

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About us
The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau  is the marketing arm of the City of Abilene and provides services to tourists and groups convening in Abilene.
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