Support your Local Restaurants
KANSAS! Magazine Asks Readers to Pick their Favorite Local Eats in Kansas

KANSAS! magazine, the state's premier travel magazine, invites readers to nominate their favorite local place to eat in Kansas for the magazine's third annual readers' choice issue. Only local restaurants, cafes, food trucks, bakeries, and other eateries will be will be considered. Nominations opened Monday, January 30, 2017.

Click here to nominate for favorite Abilene restaurant!


Abilene Visitors Center
Have brochures for your business or attraction? Make sure they are in the Abilene Visitors Center. 

We also invite you to stop in and check out some of our new inventory!
2017 Calendar
Thanks to Jeana Lawrence, Abilene CVB Tourism Assistant, the Abilene CVB's calendar is updated! Think there's nothing to do? Think again!

Click here to view the calendar!
Attraction Update:
Arts Council of Dickinson County
 
5th Annual Film Festival

Sponsored by: Arts Council of Dickinson County
 
Beginning Sunday, January 15 at 2:00 p.m. films will be shown at the Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitor's Center, 200 SE 4th Street.
 
All films are free of charge and popcorn will be provided.
 
A discussion will follow each film. 
 
*Please bring a non-perishable food item. 
*All items will benefit the Abilene Area Food and Clothing Bank.
 
The schedule and summary of the films are as follows:
 
February 12: Bridge of Spies  PG-13 During the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.
 
February 19: The Martian  PG-13 An astronaut becomes stranded on Mars after his team assume him dead, and must rely on his ingenuity to find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

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Arts Council of Dickinson County
PRESENTS
ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST and EXHIBIT
Thursday, March 9th

The theme for this year's photography contest is "Hometown History". 
Categories are as follows:
Youth (under 12)
Intermediate (12 - 17)
Adult (over 18)
Best in Show
Judge's Choice
 
Entries will be accepted Thursday, February 23rd, and Friday, February 24th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Arts Council of Dickinson County's new location: The Sunflower Hotel, Suite B, 409 NW 3rd Street, Abilene.  We are pleased to have Michael Hook, director of the Heritage Center, as judge. 

Rules: Photos must be no larger than 8"x10", no smaller than 7"x9", no white borders on photos, and must be mounted on white mount board 11"x14". Mount board and sleeve ($1.50) are available for purchase at the Dickinson County Extension Office, 712 S. Buckeye, Abilene. A hanging hook must be placed in back so it is not visible while it is displayed. Do not frame. Photos must have been taken from March of 2015 forward, and not previously entered in this event. Photos are accepted in any format, such as camera, iPhone, etc. Entries will be judged on originality, technical excellence, presentation and adherence to theme. Three entries per person. Email:  [email protected] for an entry form.  Entry forms are also available at the Arts Council office.  
Dickinson County Heritage Center


Join us on Facebook Live with Michael Hook, director of the  Dickinson County Heritage Center , to learn about upcoming events, new exhibits and a sneak peek at their Wurlitzer band organ restoration.
Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum


Thanks to the more than 400 people who attended the Bret Baier - Three Days in January Book Talk at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum! Kansas Governor Sam Brownback also visited Abilene for the filming of Fox News Channel's Special Report with Bret Baier.

Couldn't make it to the book talk? Visit Eagle Community Television's Facebook Page to watch the full video.

The Best of the West TALK Series
 
Talk about Literature in Kansas (TALK) is a series presented in partnership with the Kansas Humanities Council and the Abilene Public Library. This program is for every Kansan who loves to read and discuss good books. The Best of the West theme celebrates the Chisholm Trail 150th and Dwight Eisenhower's love of western novels.

The TALK series is free and open to the public. The books selected for discussion are available to check out from the Abilene Public Library or purchase at the Eisenhower Presidential Library Gift Shop

Little House on the Prairie
February 13, 2017
7:00 p.m. -- Book TALK
 
Good Land
March 13, 2017
7:00 p.m. -- Book TALK
Discussion facilitated by Margy Stewart


Eisenhower and the Great War
March 2017 - March 2018
(Library)

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 budding leadership abilities. World War I, as it would become known later in the century, proved critical to the making of this American Icon.

Greyhound Hall of Fame

Each year the Greyhound Hall of Fame
sponsors two $1,000 scholarships. One is funded by the family of one of the soldiers who died at Fort Hood and the other by the daughter of the late Ed Keelan. Keelan was a greyhound track operator and great supporter of the museum. 

The scholarship is to encourage post high school education to persons connected with the sport of Greyhound racing. The deadline for the submission is March 27. 

Please contact Kathryn Lounsbury at the Greyhound Hall of Fame (i [email protected] ) for more information.
Great Plains Theatre

Great Plains Theatre is ecstatic to announce the season opening show of the 2017 Main Stage Season will be  Mamma  Mia! The story follows young Sophie who is feeling more than a little trepidation before her wedding. She wants her father to give her away on her big day. The only problem? She's not quite sure who that is! She does, however, know who it might be, and thus unfolds the tale of  Mamma  MiaMamma  Mia features the music of ABBA molded around a story of intrigue and fun. The story tests the bonds of friendship and family as complicated lives collide on a tiny island.

Season tickets are currently available online at  greatplainstheatre.com and via phone at 785-263-4574, single tickets will be available  April 1Mamma  Mia will be followed by Gypsy, Ragtime, and Peter and the Starcatcher. The 23rd season of Great Plains Theatre promises to be a thrill from start to finish, and you will want to be there to see it all. Get your tickets and select your seats!

Jeff Crosby and the Refugees
February 14 - 7:00 p.m.

Idaho born singer-songwriter Jeff
Crosby is another of those musical souls that have been performing and perfecting their craft for many years. To be precise, Jeff has spent the past decade writing and performing throughout the United States and beyond, sharing his 'unique perspective of Americana'.

In this time, Jeff has released several albums both as a solo artist and with his band The Refugees who also join him on 'Waking Days'. Their sound has been described as a blend of 'Americana, folk and 70's inspired psychedelic rock' and elsewhere, something akin to 'dusty, dreamy rock and roll'.

General Admission: $15, Table for Four $80

Geff Dawson - Cowboy Poetry & Western Music
February 25 - 7:00 p.m.

Geff was one of the featured cowboy western entertainers at Silver Dollar City's Salute to the Great American Cowboy in 2007, 2008, and again in 2012. He was the 2006 Silver Buckle Champion and Best of the Best winner at the world's only Western Legends Roundup Cowboy Poetry Rodeo in 2006. In 2009, he won the Best of the West Shootout. The events were held in Kanab, Utah where he competed against 70+ other contestants. He followed it with a trip to the Colorado State Fair, where he won the People's Choice Buckle, and was the Reserve Champion in their cowboy poetry competition. Most Recently, he was honored as a 2012 inductee into the Kansas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

General Admission: $15, Table for Four $80

Cinema
Beginning Friday, February 10 - Rogue One

Click here for more information. 
Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum

Camera of the Week:

This week, from the Jeffcoat Museum
collection is the No. 3A Folding Autographic Brownie Camera that was manufactured by the Eastman Kodak company from 1916 to 1926. Many events occurred during the life of this camera. For instance, in 1914, the Ford Motor Company increased wages from $2.40 a day to $5.00 for a day's labor. In 1915, future General and President Eisenhower was commission in the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. In 1918, the time zones were officially established with daylight savings time going into effect. In the 1920's for the first time in American history, more people lived in cities than on farms.

Check out the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum Facebook page for other great photos!
Seelye Mansion


In 2016, more than 12,000 people visited the Seelye Mansion in Abilene. Enjoy a peek inside the Seelye Mansion with Terry Tietjens on the Visit Abilene Kansas Facebook page
Featured Restaurant : La Fiesta


La Fiesta is a great addition to downtown Abilene!
Stay in Abilene
Abilene's Victorian Inn

Valentine's Day Specials
February 10-19, 2017

Celebrate romance with a lodging
package, which includ es a six
course gourmet dinner or a full afternoon tea, long-stemmed roses, chocolate covered strawberries, a glass of non-alcoholic sparkling cider to toast and a  Victorian atmosphere complete with beautiful linens and fine china to make you feel treasured. As always, a gourmet breakfast is included and prepared by a certified chef.

Call (785) 263-7774 for reservations!

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Abilene is home to 202 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 & Smokey Valley Railroad, we invite you to extend your visit and spend the night and enjoy all Abilene has to offer!

Click here to learn more about places to stay in Abilene!
Help us, help you
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].
We do our best to make sure all information is correct. 
It is advisable to always call ahead before visiting.
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau | 785.263.2231 | Email | Website

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