Transforming Businesses in Consumer Destinations

Representatives from Abilene businesses, attractions and organizations attended Jon Schallert's Transform Your Business Into a Consumer Destination workshop in Hays. 


Pictured left to right: Allison Blake, Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce; Glenda Purkis; Julie Roller, Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau; Wilma Calovich & Connie Brunner, Cedar Street Market; Sharon Petersen, Cypress Bridge Candle Co.; Chris Ostermann, Engle House Bed & Breakfast; Mary Jane Oard, Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad; Deb Sanders, Windmill Inn Bed & Breakfast; Elizabeth Weese, Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Shelley Crawley, Wrist Candy & Company; and Brandon Adams, Cypress Bridge Candle Co. Not pictured: Meredith Sleichter, Eisenhower Foundation; Lisa Smegal, Rivendell Bookstore and Soleyah Brittian, HapiSoul Yoga & Wellness.
Donate Dickinson County Day a Success

The Community Foundation of Dickinson County hosted a successful first match day, which benefit Abilene area attractions and organizations.


Happy National Fragrance Day!

March 21 is National Fragrance Day. Celebrate with a new candle from Cypress Bridge Candle Co.!

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport

Visitors to Wichita's Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport are now connected with Abilene! Check out this new addition highlighting Abilene's Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home.












Exhibit Opening Delayed

The entire museum of the Eisenhower Presidential Library will be new this summer! The comprehensive redesign will reveal Ike and Mamie's story in their own words. New interactive features will encourage guests to engage with the exhibits and find relevance in their own lives.
 
The opening date is postponed beyond the original June goal due to the recent government shutdown. "The library staff worked diligently to make up for the lost weeks. The reality is we simply cannot catch up and our team is very disappointed. We wanted to make this year's D-Day anniversary extra special with an all-new exhibit," states Dawn Hammatt, director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.
 
The 22-acre campus remains open and temporary exhibits are on display in the library building until the museum project is complete. Hammatt expects the new exhibits to open in July.
 
The D-Day 75th Anniversary Commemoration Week will be observed while the new exhibit installation work continues. Activities for the week-long event begin Saturday, June 1 featuring the Salina Symphony performing during the Symphony At Sunset concert. There will be a host of educational programs, films, and discussions during the week. The commemorative events culminate on Thursday, June 6, with a Remembrance Ceremony and Wreath Laying honoring General Eisenhower and all veterans. Retired Air Force General Richard B. Myers is the keynote speaker for the ceremony. Myers is currently the President of Kansas State University and served as the 15th Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
 
The comprehensive exhibit redesign and the D-Day 75th Anniversary Commemoration Week events are made possible by donations to the Eisenhower Foundation.

Throwback Thursday - Brown Memorial Park
 
Map of Brown's Park

In 1926 C.L. Brown began making visible gifts to the Abilene community. He and his siblings formed the Brown Memorial Foundation in memory of their parents. With the foundation, they constructed the Brown Memorial Home for the Aged and a 226 acre park open to the public. At the time, the park cost approximately $1,000 a day to operate. However, it was free to the public and included a swimming lake, golf course, zoo, and camps for boys and girls.

"Our  only thought in establishing this memorial is to give in a practical manner recognition of the memory of our parents and to do some good to humanity in a permanent and helpful way that will make life easier for those who may receive its benefits. It is located here in Abilene because it is our home and the home for so many years of our family. We hope that it may fill a real need and be forever an active force for helpfulness." -C.L. Brown

5 Star Reviews - Sips Espresso Bar
 
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
30th Annual Ida Stover-Eisenhower Memorial Quilt Show
 March 11-24
 Dickinson County Heritage Center
Most Hallowed Ground with Tom Tudor Thursday, March 28, 
Noon - 1 pm		 Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center Auditorium
Kansas State Geography Bee Friday, March 29 Eisenhower Presidential Library
KS Gift & Craft Show Sunday, March 31 @ 1pm Sterl Hall
Eisenhower Marathon
Saturday, April 6 @ 7 am
St. Andrews Parish Hall
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
National Travel & Tourism Week May 5-11
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
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
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ATTRACTION & EVENT UPDATES

Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home




Holm Automotive Car Show


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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