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Make sure to read our 2018 Holiday Event Guide below.
Hosting a special holiday event? Make sure to let us know!
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Patriotism in Abilene
Dear Abilene Area Business/Resident/Organization:
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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Travel Tips
With the recent snow, it's a nice reminder than Abilene is home to more than 200 rooms waiting to serve travelers.
Before you hit the hit the roads, make sure to check
KanDrive
for road conditions.
When in doubt, take advice from this clever weatherman...
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WWII Historian Presents Special Evenings at Ease Program
Acclaimed WWII Historian James Holland presents Big Week: The Biggest Air Battle of World War II.
The Eisenhower Presidential Library presents a special Evenings at Ease program Tuesday, November 20, at 7 p.m. The free program is open to the public and will be held in the Visitors Center Auditorium, 200 SE 4th Street, Abilene.
Acclaimed British WWII Historian James Holland will discuss his new book titled Big Week: The Biggest Air Battle of World War II. Code-named Operation ARGUMENT, the aerial offensive is considered a turning point for the Allies in WWII. Holland's research shows the operation in detail leading up to the D-Day invasion--June 6, 1944.
Holland is the author of several books including The Rise of Germany, 1939-1941 and The Allies Strike Back, 1941-1943. Additionally he authored numerous historical fiction works. He is a Royal Historical Society fellow and has a collection featured at the Imperial War Museum.
Following the program, Holland will sign copies of
Big Week: The Biggest Air Battle of World War II
,
available for purchase in the Presidential Gift Shop.
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GPT 5-Star Cinema: Bohemian Rhapsody
- Friday, November 16 @ 7 pm
- Saturday, November 17 @ 2 pm & 7 pm
- Sunday, November 18 @ 7 pm
- Monday, November 19 @ 7 pm
- Tuesday, November 20 @ 7 pm
- Wednesday, November 21 @ 2 pm
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5 Star Reviews - Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home
The Dwight D Eisenhower (Ike), the 34th President, a 5-Star US Army General, CIC all Allied Forces Europe WWII, Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home was so well designed, easy to move around, convenient. The Museum is closed for renovation until June 2019, but the contents where possible, were moved to the Library. There is a gift shop, restrooms, and Ike's impressive and solemn gravesite is on the property. A must respectful visit. A lot to see, immerse yourself in all of the 22-acre site at a pleasant pace. Ike's Boyhood is so well preserved, so cool to see where as a boy from 1898 until Ike departed to West Point in 1911. An interesting fact learned from the tour guide, Ike was a pacifist. Ike accepted the West Point appointment because it afforded the best opportunity for him to go to college. The venue is open from 9AM to 4:45 PM, plenty of free and convenient parking, and there is a modest entry fee. A very well done and inspiring presidential library. Enjoy.
977samd
Vero Beach, Florida
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Museum Store Sunday
Sunday, November 25
9 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Eisenhower Visitors Center
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Celebrate the Holiday Season in Abilene!
The Holiday Season will be here before we know it. Make plans now to spend a weekend in Abilene!
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Seelye Mansion Holiday Tours
Abilene's historic Seelye Mansion is exceptionally beautiful during the holiday season.
Tours Daily!
Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m
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Not Another Christmas Letter! The Musical
Not Another Christmas Letter!
The Musical
November 30 - December 9
It's that time of year again! Time to spend your loved ones an overly-positive, possibly embellished, and definitely cherry-picked rundown of your year! Featuring a score written by Wichita Native Laura Bergquist,
Not Another Christmas Letter! The
Musical finds the laughter and music within all of our holiday traditions.
Rated G
Showtimes:
Friday, November 30 - 7:30 P.M. (followed by Afterglow)
Saturday, December 1 - 7:30 P.M.
Sunday, December 2 - 2:00 P.M.
Tuesday, December 4 -
2:00 P.M.
Wednesday, December 5 - 2:00 P.M.
Thursday, December 6 - 7:30 P.M.
Friday, December 7 - 7:30 P.M. (followed by Cabaret)
Saturday, December 8 - 7:30 P.M.
Sunday, December 9 - 2:00 P.M.
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Christmas Afternoon Tea Party
Christmas Afternoon Tea Party
Saturday, December 1
11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.
Visit Abilene's Victorian Inn for their 8th annual afternoon party. Reservations required. Call (785) 263-7774 for more information.
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2018 Holiday Homes Tour
Homes that age gracefully highlight the
2018 Homes for the Holidays tour, Dec. 1 and 2.
A cottage at 310 NE 5th, now owned by James and Sabrina Holland, was built in 1905 by John L. Jacoby, a Pennsylvania native who was captured by the Confederates at Gettysburg and moved to Kansas in 1879. Today, the two-bedroom house is a mix of original woodwork and modern appliances, and is used as an Airbnb. Another home that provides a strong dose of old and new is the Prairie Style home at 407 N. Vine. Built in 1907, it is one of the few houses in Abilene with a remote control for the kitchen counters.
Two beautifully preserved homes in the 900 block of North Buckeye are on the tour this year. At 906 N. Buckeye, Ken and Donna Hansen have been incrementally restoring their large two-story Victorian-influenced home. While preserving the generous use of wood throughout the house, they have added many personal touches, such as the only bright yellow bathroom tile of its kind in the world. At 900 N. Buckeye, on the south end of the block, Joe and Pam Sanfilippo's 1898 Victorian house is a gorgeous example of a turn-of-the-century home with massive arched interior doors and beautiful woodwork.
Rounding out the line-up are the First Baptist Church, 501 N. Spruce - part of the church was originally the Garfield school's kindergarten annex - and the Volkmann
Cabin at the Dickinson County Historical Society. 412 S. Campbell, where refreshments will be offered.
Tickets for the tour, which will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, are $10 and will be available from the Abilene CVB and the historical society.
For more information, contact the Abilene CVB at (785) 263-2231, or 800-569-5915.
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Night of Christmas Magic
Candy Cane Lane and Holiday Activities & Treats throughout Downtown Abilene
Saturday, December 1
3 - 8 p.m.
Attendees are invited to pick up their Candy Cane Lane bags, map and schedule of activities at 418 NW 3rd St (corner of 3rd and Mulberry).
Activities already scheduled include Candy Cane Lane, a window decorating contest, ornament decorating, holiday movies, stories and photos with Santa, strolling costumed carolers, flower pot decorating, a snowball toss, face painting, art projects at Santa's Workshop, a reindeer food station, Griswold Family photos, and more!
Old Abilene Town Christmas
Saturday, December 1
3 - 8 p.m.
See the decorated Merchant Hotel and shop in the General Store.
Downtown Carriage Rides
Saturday, December 1
4 - 7 p.m.
Abilene Civic Center
Mayor's Holiday Tree Lighting & Visits with Santa
Saturday, December 1
6 p.m.
Abilene Civic Center
Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce Turkey Toss
Saturday, December 1
7 p.m.
KABI Radio Station
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Elf Fun
Abilene, Dickinson County and the Flint Hills are full of beautiful barn quilts. Join Chris' Tree Lodge for a special, Christmas-themed barn quilt class!
Saturday, December 1st
9 a.m. - Noon
Wednesday, December 5th
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
$50 each
Registration due by November 20th.
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Abilene Municipal Band Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 2, 2018
2:00 P.M.
Come enjoy the sounds of the season as the Abilene Municipal Band performs classic and modern Christmas pieces! Bring the family and enjoy this free concert at the Eisenhower Visitor's Center auditorium!
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Christmas in the Cabin
The Dickinson County Historical Society
will host its annual Christmas in the Cabin program on
Sunday, December 2, 2018
from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
Plans are for a family to be in the Volkmann Cabin, Santa Claus will be here for the kids to tell him what they would like for Christmas, there will be horse-drawn wagon rides, free carousel rides and refreshments.
The Faith Lutheran Church of Abilene will be presenting the live Nativity in the Prichard Barn.
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Christmas Lights Tour
Join the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad for a Christmas lights tour!
Saturday, December 7 @ 6 pm & 7 pm
Sunday, December 8 @ 6 pm & 7 pm
Saturday, December 14 @ 6 pm & 7 pm
Sunday, December 15 @ 6 pm & 7 pm
Cost: $5/person. .
Call (785) 263-1077 for reservations.
Pickup at the Abilene Visitors Center / 201 NW 2nd / Abilene.
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Santa Train
Santa Train
Saturday, December 8
1:00 p.m.
$10 (all ages)
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.
Call Abilene Parks & Recreation at (785) 263-7266 for more information.
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Cowboy Christmas
Celebrate the holidays at Old Abilene Town with a Cowboy Christmas on Saturday, December 8. Enjoy chili and cinnamon roles from 12-4 p.m. at the Alamo Saloon and see Old Abilene Town decorated for the holidays.
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Holiday Markets
Saturday, December 1
10 A.M. - 3 P.M.
Sterl Hall
Sunday, December 9
1 - 5 P.M.
Sterl Hall
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Christmas Gift Ideas - Hoffman Grist Mill
The Hoffman Grist Mill has gift packages consisting of one for breakfast with Pancake Mix, Farina, Grits & Polenta, another with Seasoned flour, Seasoned corn meal, White corn meal, Yellow corn meal and Bolted flour (sifted), third one with baking flours & Corn meal. Each package is $15 plus shipping.
The Mill at Enterprise, KS will be open Saturdays 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. thru December 22. For orders or info contact 785-263-1077 or 785-263-5248.
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Christmas Gift Ideas - Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum
Shop the Hall of Fame for your Christmas gifts!
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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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