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Greetings from Abilene, Kansas!
Since December 2016, the
Abilene Tourism Advocate continues to share positive news and stories about our five-star community. We hope you enjoy this weekly reminder about the great people, attractions, businesses and events that make Abilene a great place to live and visit.
Next year will be a special time in our community as we:
- Celebrate Abilene's sesquicentennial marking 150 years since the city's official incorporation.
- Commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
- Honor Dwight D. Eisenhower and the 50th anniversary of his passing and the 40th anniversary of Mamie Doud Eisenhower's passing.
- Welcome visitors to the grand re-opening of the renovated Eisenhower Presidential Museum.
- Enjoy a six-show season as Great Plains Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary.
- And much, much more!
Thank you for reading, thank you for visiting and thank you for your continued support.
The
Abilene Tourism Advocate will resume in 2019.
We wish you a happy holiday season with your friends and family and a prosperous New Year!
Julie Roller,
Abilene CVB director
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Here's Why You'll Love Abilene, Kansas
Just when I thought my heart couldn't love the state of Kansas any more, we were introduced to the town of Abilene, Kansas. I'm always on the hunt for a town that is hidden full of treasures and businesses to discover, and Abilene didn't disappoint. My photographer (don't worry - he's also my husband) and I were invited to spend the weekend exploring everything that Abilene has to offer, and we were blown away by its history and beauty. Visiting throughout the year is highly recommended but exploring everything that Abilene during the holidays has to offer should absolutely be at the top of your list!
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Celebrating the holidays in Abilene, Kansas
Abilene enjoys the holiday season. From Seelye Mansion decorating its 25 rooms to the Great Plains Theatre's holiday show, Abilene is a fun place to celebrate the season.
A must-see attraction when visiting Abilene, the holiday season makes Seelye Mansion a top-rated attraction. Decorations include dozens of Christmas trees and more than 75 poinsettias, as well as 750 nutcrackers. While tours take up to two hours, they are worth every minute. The mansion's owner encourages visitors to join him in singing Christmas carols as he plays a 100-year-old Steinway piano
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Hot Shopping Spots In The Midwest
Shopping is popular with many at all times of the year. From holiday shopping to shopping local, there is always a place to shop that you will want to call yours. These hot shopping spots in the Midwest are sure to be a resource of sweet finds. I can personally tell you, that these places have impressed me with a variety of goods and good, old-fashioned customer service.
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Exploring Abilene beyond Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower loved calling Abilene his hometown. The Kansas city reciprocated its affection for the man who would go on to become a five-star general, head the D-Day invasion of Europe that changed the direction of World War II and then go on to be elected the 34th president of the United States. However, as you explore the city of about 6,500, you learn there's much more to Abilene than being the home of President Eisenhower.
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Crowning Rodeo Royalty
2019 Miss Rodeo Kansas coronation party to be held in Abilene
Royalty will be in Abilene, Kansas next month.
The 2019 Miss Rodeo Kansas Brooke Wallace, will hold her coronation party at Sterl Hall at the Central Kansas Free Fairgrounds in Abilene on Saturday, January 12.
The evening kicks off at 5 pm with a welcome and proceeds with the coronation, dinner, silent and live auctions, and a dance.
Silent and live auction items include a grill, furniture, gun, horseshoe art, paintings, Wild Bill Hickok rodeo buckles, and more. A fried chicken dinner will be served, provided by Brookville Hotel.
Wallace, whose hometown is Solomon, served as the 2016 Miss Rodeo K-State and made appearances at Abilene's Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo that year. She is a 2017 graduate of Kansas State University, with a bachelor of science degree in apparel textile design and production. She designs custom western wear and does wood burning, working with her aunt, Sara Prochaska, and Lazy P Creations in Ellsworth.
For the year 2019, she will crisscross the state and the nation, representing Kansas at pro rodeos such as Abbyville, Garden City, Longford, Dodge City, Cheyenne, Wyo., Rapid City, S.D., Pendleton, Ore., the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., and more. In December 2019, she will participate in the Miss Rodeo America pageant, with the goal of being crowned the Miss Rodeo America 2020.
Tickets for the coronation party must be purchased by January 1. Adult tickets are $20; children ages twelve and under are $10, and children four and under are free. Tickets can be purchased by emailing Wallace at [email protected]. More information can be found on Facebook (search for Miss Rodeo Kansas or Brooke Wallace.)
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Abilene Travel Information Center Openings
Named one of the "Best Small Towns to Visit" by Smithsonian Magazine, the City of Abilene's Convention & Visitors Bureau has part-time openings (up to 20 hours/week) for Travel Information Center staff.
Responsibilities include greeting visitors, sharing information about Abilene attractions, hotels, and other businesses, conducting merchandise sales, answering phones, fulfilling welcome bag requests, light office work, and other related activities.
Candidates must have strong customer service skills and knowledge about Abilene attractions and businesses.
The Travel Information Center is open seven days a week. No evening hours required. Hourly position.
Apply online or at the
CVB office at 201 NW Second. Position is open until filled.
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Abilene Flag Project
In 2019 we will commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the grand re-opening of the renovated Eisenhower Presidential Museum, as well as the 150th anniversary of the City of Abilene's incorporation. Visitors to Abilene frequently comment on the beautiful American flags lining Buckeye and 3rd Street. The American flags are one of the many wonderful things that make our community standout.
To continue this tradition, the City of Abilene's Convention & Visitors Bureau is seeking sponsors for the American flags, which are placed on poles from I-70 along Buckeye to the south city limits and from Buckeye west on 3rd Street. The flags are flown from the Eisenhower Marathon weekend through Veterans Day. Because they are displayed for seven months, the flags and poles are more prone to wear and tear. The City of Abilene's Public Works Department replaces them as needed.
Our goal this year is to purchase 200 flags for the 2019 season. The cost of each flag remains the same at $25, which includes the pole.
Volunteers from the American Legion and VFW attach the flags to the flagpoles. The Public Works Department, Eagle Communications, Abilene Rental, and Linder Electric install the flags on the light poles.
We rely on the community to provide funding for this project and hope you will consider purchasing one or more flags this year. Please complete the enclosed form and return it to the Abilene CVB by January 8, 2019.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Julie Roller
Director, Abilene CVB
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Flag sponsors as of 12/17/2018:
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Abilene Auto Parts Inc.
Abilene Machine Inc.
Abilene Printing & Office Products Co., Inc.
Abilene Rent-All & Sales
American Family Insurance
AuBurn Pharmacy
Bert & Wetta Sales Inc
Bill & Nanc Scholl
Black & Company Realtors
Bob Burns- State Farm Insurance Agent
Brown Memorial Foundation
Casey & Jane Foltz
Central Kansas Free Fair
Copeland Insurance
Dan & Marilyn Holt
Danner Funeral Home
Don's Tire & Supply Inc
Eisenhower Foundation
Everett's Inc.
George & Carol McCormic
Greyhound Hall of Fame
Jessica Weissenbach
John & April Barker
Kenton & Stephanie Clark
KJIL - Mark Hinca
Dr. Lawrence Cooper
Larry & Tina Rankin
Linder Electric Inc.
M & R Grill
Marcus Rothchild
Martin Becker Carlson Funeral
Martin Schneider in Memory of Jack Schneider
OCCK, Inc.
Patterson Healthcare Pharmacy
Peterson Monuments & Designs, Inc.
Pinnacle Bank
Pottberg, Gassman & Hoffman
Rick & Marcia Williamson
Rivendell Bookstore/Picture This Plus
Robson Oil Co Inc
Smart Insurance
Solomon State Bank
Sonic Drive In
Stan Foltz
Steve & Glenda Schmidt in memory of Lowell K. Schmidt, WWII Veteran
The Teck Shop
Tim & Kathy Horan
Tom & Janet Whitehair
West's Plaza Country Mart
William & Phyllis Peterson
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Throwback Thursday
We enjoy finding places with history and unique story. Mr. K's Farmhouse in Abilene, KS has a lot of stories within its walls including bestowing a birthday paddling to President Eisenhower on his 75th birthday. This paddling was actually a Lena's (original owner of the restaurant) tradition. Learn more about their story on their website.
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5 Star Reviews - Great Plains Theatre
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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
[email protected].
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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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