All Aboard the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau recently hosted travel bloggers, Jeff & Crystal with Our Changing Lives blog. Check out their first post about the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad.

The Most Underrated Vacation Spot in Your State

Check it out! 

P.S. We still miss the Kirby House, but we DO have a few remaining copies of their cookbook in the Abilene Visitors Center! 

Abilene Welcomes International Visitors

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism's  International Travel Marketing Program assists domestic wholesale receptive operators, wholesale international tour operators, and retail international travel agents in their efforts to create, promote, and sell individual tour packages to Kansas. This program is designed to continuously educate the international traveling public on the benefits of traveling in Kansas by generating positive Kansas media coverage through working with the international travel media.

This week Abilene welcomed Lisa Weigt, International Program Director, Klaus Boog (Germany) and Matt Bates (Scotland), Destination Awareness Managers. 


Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo

Oklahoma trick riding cowgirl to entertain at Abilene rodeo
 
Speed, glamour, sequins and sparkles, all on the back of a galloping horse, while hanging precariously attached to a narrow leather strap on a saddle!
 
That's the definition of trick riding: beautiful cowgirls, dressed in glitzy costumes, as they perform daredevil stunts on horseback!
 
And that's what fans at the Abilene rodeo, the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, presented by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in Salina, will see when Tricked Out Trick Riding entertains during each night of the rodeo August 1-4.
 
Dusta Kimzey, the primary trick rider for the group, got her start as a kid on the family ranch at Strong City, Okla. The daughter of legendary bullfighter and barrelman Ted Kimzey, she and her brothers were attending rodeos with their dad when the kids saw trick riding and began to try it at home, on their own horses. "My mom kept catching us on our horses, trying to hurt ourselves," Dusta said, "so she decided we were going to learn how" to trick ride.
 
She and her brothers attended a trick riding camp in Colorado hosted by former trick rider Karen Vold, and when Dusta was ten years old, she and her brothers were part of their dad's act.
 
She was eighteen years old when she went out on her own, working rodeos in Texas. During her college days at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, she continued to trick ride at rodeos across the area.
 
If Dusta's last name is familiar, that's because she is the older sister of four-time PRCA world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey, and of Trey Kimzey, also a PRCA bull rider. Sage and Trey were part of the act when they were younger; now Sage devotes his time to bull riding. Trey is part of the act when his schedule allows. "He's been my number one partner through my whole career," Dusta said. He often trick ropes in the act as well.
 
For the second part of her act, Dusta has a pony named Lickety Split. The horse, on her voice commands, does a variety of "liberty" work: waving to the crowd, lying down, and other tricks.
 
Dusta earned a doctorate in pharmacy in 2016 and when she's not on the rodeo road, she is behind the counter at two small independent retail pharmacies in Cheyenne and Elk City, Okla. She enjoys interacting with customers and getting to know them. "You get a sense of helping people. You care about them, spend time talking to them and making their lives a little bit better from the pharmacy standpoint."
 
The Kimzey kids know how to work. "I tell everyone, I don't sleep a lot," she laughed. "I work pretty hard, but that's how we were raised. Our dad is the hardest working person I ever met. He instilled that in us. We never had a choice but to work hard and go after whatever we wanted."
 
A second trick rider will join Dusta in the arena. Sadie Lynn will trick ride as well. The cowgirls will do a variety of stunts: the Apache hideaway, the Cossack suicide drag, vaults, and they always close with a liberty stand, Dusta standing on the back of her horse, carrying an American flag as she speeds around the arena.
 
Tricked Out Trick Riding, with Dusta, Sadie and Lickety Split will perform during each night of the Abilene rodeo. The rodeo runs August 1-4 and begins at 8 pm each night. Tickets are $11 in advance ($8 for children ages four through ten) and $14 at the gate. They can be purchased online at CKFF.net and at various local retailers.
Central Kansas Free Fair Parade 

Each year residents and visitors look forward to the Central Kansas Free Fair. The parade is always held the first Thursday of the fair.

The parade begins at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 2 at 7th Street/Buckeye and proceeds south to 3rd Street and west to Washington Street.

Remember to bring lawn chairs, blankets and bottled water. Come early to reserve your choice spot! 
National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo


August 3-4, 2018
Shockey & Landes Building
Abilene, Kansas













J oin us for the annual National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo Competition held in Abilene, Kansas, during the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo and the Central Kansas Free Fair. Tons of fun and amazing cowgirl and cowboy poets come together to win championship buckles, prize money and more! Entry forms and more information available on the web at  www.ncpr.us.
Chisholm Trail Western Music Show


The Chisholm Trail Western Music & Cowboy Poetry Show is scheduled for Saturday, August 4, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., at the amazing Great Plains Theatre, 401 Cottage, Abilene, Kansas. Reserved table seating includes complimentary beverages and appetizers at your table, $25.00 per person. Additional reserved tickets are $15.00, General Admission tickets are $10.00 and children 6-12 years old are $5.00 (5 & under free).

Come join us for a western-themed music show featuring Cowboy Entertainer, Geff Dawson & Dawn, along with our Special Guest, Del Shields, a western music recording artist, cowboy poet, and featured entertainer and co-host of Best of America by Horseback on RFD-TV. along with fellow cowboy and cowgirl poets and the newly crowned NCPR Champions. Also, be sure to come and watch the competition during the days (August 3 & 4, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. until approximatley 2:00 p.m. each day). There is no admission for the competition event between the hours of 8:30 and 2:00 p.m. each day.

Matinee Show tickets are limited. Children's and General Admission Tickets ($5.00) will be available at the door. Visit our web site for more information at  www.ncpr.us
Throwback Thursday


The Abilene Weekly Reflector
Thursday, August 15, 1907

As printed in the Abilene Weekly Reflector October 10, 1907, Mr. Thomas Kewish (Carlton) and Miss Grace F. Keen were married at the fair. 
5 Star Reviews - Abilene Visitors Center


My visit to Abilene a few weeks ago was greatly enhanced through meeting Anna at the Visitor's Center. She popped out to greet me as I entered, then listened to what I wanted to do and personalized the materials she pulled for me. She also gave suggestions and directions for reaching a cafe nearby that matched my food choice.
What a wonderful employee you have!

Cheers,
Carol Fifield
Miami, FL

Note: The Abilene Visitors Center is a state-designated Travel Information Center. It is open seven days a week to serve visitors. 

"The proudest thing I can claim is that I am from Abilene."
Dwight D. Eisenhower
June 22, 1945

Abilene Municipal Band 2018 Concert Schedule

All performances are in Eisenhower Park at the Royer Band Shell.
  • Thursday, July 26 @ 8 pm
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

train
Steam Engine
All aboard! The  Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad 's 3415 steam engine will operate Saturday, July 28 at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. for the National Day of the Cowboy.

It will also run on Sunday, July 29 at 2:00 p.m.


Dickinson County Heritage Center

The Dickinson County Heritage Center is a unique collection of two in-door museums, that continues out-the-back-door where you will find actual buildings from around the county, all depicting life on the Great Plains.

Don't miss the 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel - the oldest operational C.W. Parker Carousel.

Summer Hours:

Monday-Friday 
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (note time change)

Sunday
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home


Cosmosphere SpaceWorks Division Lunch & Learn
July 26
Noon-2 pm
Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center

The next Lunch & Learn program is Thursday, July 26 at noon in the Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center Auditorium. This is free and open to the public, a light lunch is included on a first come, first serve basis.

Jim Remar, Cosmosphere President and Chief Executive Officer, will discuss the Cosmphosphere SpaceWorks Division. SpaceWorks is the restoration and fabrication division of the Cosmosphere. Major projects the team has helped restore include the Liberty Bell 7 and the Apollo 13 Command Module-Odyssey. He will also talk about exhibits at the Evergreen Aviation Space Museum and the JVS European touring exhibit. In addition he will discuss the current project: restoring mission control consoles in time for the 60th anniversary of NASA.

A recognized expert in the areas of museum administration, strategic planning and space artifact preservation and exhibition, He joined the Cosmosphere as curator in 2000. After eight years, Remar joined the team at Gregory, Inc. as Vice President of Operations. In 2012, Remar returned to the Cosmosphere as President/COO where he was responsible for all operations of the organization, including SpaceWorks. Remar was named CEO of the organization in January 2018. 

A Special thanks to Anita K. Miller and Angela M. Holt, Ironstone Wealth Advisors with Ameriprise Financial for sponsoring the Lunch-in.


Wichita Bull Stockings vs. Abilene Iron Cutters

** 1860s Game Rules:** 
No Gloves
Underhand Pitching
Fair or foul balls may be caught on the bound for an out
No leading off
No base stealing
No sliding

Audience participation is encouraged to help sway the referee rulings for your team!
Great Plains Theatre 


Great Plains Theatre is proud to present Shrek the Musical coming to the stage August 10 th  through the 19 th . This cult classic film turned Tony nominated musical is a bright spectacle of delight for all ages. Featuring new musical numbers that explore the characters of Shrek, Princess Fiona, and even the villainous Farquaad, fans of the movie will still have much to learn and experience in this staged presentation.
 
The titular role is played by James Fairchild, most recently seen on stage as the Big Bopper in the national tour of The Buddy Holly Story, who is returning to Great Plains Theatre for his second show. Shrek's lovable, if a little chatty, sidekick Donkey is also portrayed by a returner to GPT's stage, Vaughn Meccod, last seen in the 2017 production of Ragtime. Shannon Cochran plays the Not-Your-Average-Princess Princess Fiona, a role that was originated by Sutton Foster, and Matthew Aaron plays the short-tempered Lord Farquaad.
 
Tickets are on sale now for this comedic tale of adventure, bravery, and daring to change your destiny. Go online to greatplainstheatre.com, stop by the box office at 401 Cottage Ave in Abilene, or call 785.263.4574 to reserve your seat today. Great Plains Theatre, together we are more.
Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum

Ginger, resident Greyhound at the  Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum , loves greeting visitors of all ages! 

Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum
Open daily 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Free admission
 

Old Abilene Town

Wild Bill's Gunfighters

Saturdays 
Noon, 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Sundays 
1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. 


 

Chisholm Trail Days


Tickets will go on sale in August!
  • Friday, Aug. 31 - Adults (16+) $5, Children ages 15 and under FREE
  • Saturday, Sept. 1 - Adults (16+) $10, Children ages 6-15 $5, Ages 5 and under FREE
Seelye Mansion

Abilene's Historic  Seelye Mansion  is a must-see! Furnished with items from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, remodeled by Frank Lloyd Wright and home to a wooden  bowling alley that's more than 120 years old, it's no "wonder" this beautiful mansion was named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas - Architecture winners by the Kansas Sampler Foundation. 

Tours Daily!
Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m

Upcoming events:
  • Central Kansas Free Fair - August 1-6
  • Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo - August 1-4
  • National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo - August 2-4
  • Vintage Base Ball Game - August 4
  • Shrek the Musical @ Great Plains Theatre - August 10-12, 14-19
  • Chisholm Trails Days @ Old Abilene Town - August 31 - September 1
  • Not Another Christmas Letter @ Great Plains Theatre - November 30-December 2, 4-9
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