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Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration
Thanks to the Abilene Parks and Recreation for planning a full day of Independence Day activities for Abilene residents and visitors!
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Note
The following restaurants will be closed on July 4: Amanda's Bakery & Bistro, Brookville Hotel,Ike's Place, Joe Snuffy's Old Fashioned Grill, La Fiesta, M&R Grill, Mr. K's Farmhouse, Three One One and Tossed 'n' Sauced.
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Jeopardy
Chisholm Trail Stumps Contestants
Contestants on
Jeopardy couldn't answer this question:
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Abilene in the News: Holm Automotive Center
CarGurus
, a leading consumer automotive car shopping website, announced it has named Holm Automotive Center, Inc. a "2017 CarGurus Top Rated Dealer." The annual CarGurus Top Rated Dealer awards are presented to a select group of car dealerships that have received the highest average ratings from shoppers who have submitted dealership reviews on the CarGurus platform. CarGurus uses shoppers' dealership ratings as well as comprehensive valuation analytics to help shoppers search their local marketplace and find great car deals from top-rated dealers.
"We are thrilled to recognize Holm Automotive Center, Inc. as a Top Rated Dealer," said Sam Zales, President of Dealer Operations. "Based on CarGurus' shoppers' ratings, it is clear that the team at Holm Automotive Center, Inc. is delivering a superior car shopping experience for their customers, and we applaud their high standards for excellence."
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Throwback Thursday
C.W. Parker "Carry-Us-All"
With the Central Kansas Free Fair right around the corner, let's throwback to the invention of one of the most popular amusement rides, the carousel.
Click here to read full story.
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Trip Advisor
Have you visited an Abilene business or attraction? Make sure to share your experience by leaving reviews.
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Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Steam Trains
 Plan your trip on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's Steam Locomotive #3415.
In July, the restored former ATSF 4-6-2 "Pacific" #3415 steam locomotive will be operating. This engine sat in Eisenhower Park in Abilene, Kansas for more than 40 years, having been retired by the Santa Fe Railroad in the 1950's. The City of Abilene donated the 3415 to the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. It took more than four years to restore the locomotive to operating condition with about 12,000 volunteer hours and the help of two grants.
The train departs Abilene eastbound for a 10½ mile round trip through the Smoky Hill River Valley to the neighboring community of Enterprise, KS. In Enterprise, the train stops for riders to see the Hoffman Grist Mill, with a rebuilt working waterwheel that mills flour.
The railroad is operated by volunteers, which includes engineers, conductors, brakemen, car attendants that narrate every trip and depot workers. Volunteers also take care of the mechanical and track maintenance.
- Date: July 1,3 and 4 (10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.); July 2 (2:00 p.m.); July 22 (10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.); and July 23 (2:00 p.m.)
- Contact Phone: (785) 263-1077
- Address: 200 SE Fifth Street
- Reservations required
- Admission: $30 (adults), $15 (children ages 3-11) and free (children 2 and younger)
- Note: Make sure to visit the newly opened Fred Schmidt Railroad Museum inside of former freight room in the depot!
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Dickinson County Heritage Center
C.W. Parker Carousel
Heroes on the Horse welcome Elmer Kandt (standing left) from Casper, Wyoming. As a kid, Elmer rode this exact C.W. Parker Carousel in Riverton, WY. Elmer's wife Alo Jean Kandt asked her daughters to take their dad all the way to Abilene so he could ride it again.
How did the carousel get all the way up to Wyoming? After it was built in 1901, Parker sent this carousel around the country on his traveling carnivals. In 1928, Jimmy Weisner bought the carousel from Parker and travelled it from town to town in the summers. In 1959, Tom Knight of Riverton, WY purchased the carousel and placed it at his own drive-in movie theatre. This was how the young Elmer Kandt got to ride it originally. His future wife, Alo Jean, also rode the carousel as a child in Wyoming.
As the drive-in movie owner passed away, the widow offered the carousel to the good folks of Abilene to go back to its birthplace. In 1976, $8900 was raised to make that move possible. The carousel has been in its location at the Heritage Center ever since.
2017 Memories of the Prairie Schedule
July 1 - Ann Walter - Waterville, KS, The End of the Chisholm Trail
July 8 - Nolan Sump - Life and Times of a German Immigrant Farmer
July 15 - Marla Matkin - Mrs. Custer. This is also the ice cream social, which starts at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a baked goods sale.
"I have seen Marla Matkin's Mrs. Custer portrayal before. This is without question one of the finest first person portrayals you will EVER see anywhere. Ms. Matkin is outstanding. She IS Mrs. Custer. If people miss this, they will have missed something very, very special. - Steve Schmidt, McPherson
All programs are free of charge and are held at the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
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Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home
The Ox-Bow Incident
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.
The Ox-Bow Incident
July 9, 2017
2:00 p.m. -- Movie (1 hour, 15 minutes)
July 10, 2017
7:00 p.m. -- Book TALK
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Great Plains Theatre
Gypsy
Great Plains Theatre, Kansas's Premier Professional Theatre, is proud to present Gypsy June 30th through July 9th.
Gypsy tells the story of a girl named Louise who transformed into
Gypsy Rose Lee, one of the most famous burlesque dancers in American history, with more than a little help from her mother.
Though the story of Gypsy is built around Gypsy Rose Lee's early life and experiences, it's Mama Rose that audiences remember. With powerful songs such as "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Rose's Turn" Mama Rose is a powerful woman to be reckoned with.
Featuring Rosemary Loar, a member of the original casts of Sunset Boulevard and Chess, as Mama Rose. Loar is no stranger to powerful roles, having been a critically acclaimed "Grizabella" on the National Tour of Cats, and is excited to bring her personal star power to the Great Plains Theatre stage.
As a bulwark of the theatrical arts in the Midwest, Great Plains Theatre is proud of the professional quality performances that such talented actors provide. After the wild success of the 2017 season opener Mamma Mia!, which packed the house night after night as amazed audience members spread the word of the joy of professional theatre, Gypsy promises to continue the excitement.
Seats for Gypsy are filling up quickly so call or click to reserve yours today! Tickets are available through the box office at 785-263-4574 or online at
greatplainstheatre.com. Come and get starstruck in Abilene at Great Plains Theatre, bringing Broadway to your backyard!
Showtimes:
- Friday, June 30, 7:30 PM - Followed by: Afterglow
- Saturday, July 1, 7:30 PM
- Sunday, July 2, 2:00 PM
- Wednesday, July 5, 2:00 PM
- Thursday, July 6, 7:30 PM
- Friday, July 7, 7:30 PM - Followed by: Cabaret
- Saturday, July 8, 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
- Sunday, July 9, 2:00 PM
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Greyhound News
Heart of America Greyhound Gathering
Thank you to the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle for covering the 2017 Heart of America Greyhound Gathering.Greyhounds and theirs owners traveled across the country to attend the gathering in Abilene.
Event dates for the 2018 Heart of America Greyhound Gathering are: June 20 - 23, 2018.
Click here to read story.
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Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum
Eisenhower Park and Rose Garden has always been a source of pride for Abilene and a visitor attraction. Thanks to the Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum for preserving and sharing these photos!
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Old Abilene Town
Gunfight Performances
Visit Old Abilene Town on Saturdays at noon, 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to enjoy their famous gunfight performances.
In addition, the Alamo Saloon is open Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m.
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Stay in Abilene
Abilene Lodging Establishments
Abilene
is home to more than 200 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
& Smoky Valley Railroad, we invite you to extend your visit, spend the night and enjoy all
Abilene
has to offer.
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Help us, help you
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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