Real Life "Rosie" Visits Abilene

Lunch and Learn: Meet a real "Rosie the Riveter"
Thursday, March 22 | 12:00 p.m. | Visitors Center Auditorium

Plan to attend this noon presentation and hear from areal-life "Rosie the Riveter," Connie Palacioz, who went to work at Boeing in Wichita, Kansas, after graduating from high school in 1943. Palacioz was a riveter on the B-29 "Superfortress" bombers, working on the forward section of the planes. One of the bombers she helped build in 1945 was the B-29 named "Doc," which has recently been refurbished by volunteers, including Palacioz, who is now 93 years old. Palacioz will be accompanied by Josh Wells, who also assisted with the restoration of the B-29 Superfortress, which is one of only two flying B-29s in the world.  

A light lunch will be provided at noon.

This free program is made possible through the support of the Friends of the Eisenhower Foundation. 

 
KANSAS! Magazine's Weekend Getaways

With your help, Abilene's Three One One received recognition in KANSAS! Magazine's "Best Local Eats" contest. Now, we're asking for your help again to help Abilene receive recognition as a favorite place for weekend getaways.

Readers' Choice Weekend Getaway
Sometimes you just have to get away. Maybe as a couple, family or just some friends needing to unplug and reconnect. What's your favorite destination in Kansas to take a weekend getaway?

Submit your destination between now and March 15, and tells us what places you'd visit, events you would attend and why you'd want to spend 36 hours at this destination. The most submissions will move on to the voting round. Voting will be open from March 16 through May 31. Winning "Weekend Getaways" will be announced in the winter 2018 issue.

Readers' Choice Guidelines
  • Nominations are being accepted through March 15.
  • Top nominations will move on to a voting round on March 16.
  • Winners will be determined by the total number of votes received.
  • Winners will be revealed in the winter 2018 edition of the KANSAS!.
 
Easter Train Ride

The Abilene Public Library will be aboard with the Easter Bunny. The train ride will include a story, an activity, and an Easter Egg Hunt to follow.  Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Date:   Saturday, March 24

Fee:   $10 per person (regardless of age)

Location:   Abilene Smoky Valley Train Depot (200 SE 5th St)


Time:
  • 1:00 p.m. - full
  • 2:00 p.m. - 8 spots remain
  • 3:00 p.m. - If the 2:00 p.m. ride sells out, a special 3:00 p.m. ride will be scheduled.
Call Abilene Parks & Recreation at: (785) 263-7266 to reserve a spot.
Eisenhower Easter Egg Roll

Join the fun on Saturday, March 31 for the 6th Annual Eisenhower Easter Egg Roll. 

National Geographic Bee
The Kansas State Bee will take place at Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home in Abilene on April 6, 2018. 

11:45 a.m. - On-site registration begins
12:45 p.m. - Official Program and Competition

Eisenhower Marathon

Join runners from around the country for the annual Eisenhower Marathon!

Saturday, April 7, 2018
Marathon/Half start @ 7:00 a.m.
10k/5k start @ 7:30 a.m.

 
Prairie Women: Engaging Women Of The Flint Hills

Click image to learn more
If you  love  the  Flint Hills , you won't want to miss  Prairie Hollow Productions ' screening of "Prairie Women: Engaging Women Of The Flint Hills", a feature-length film profiling notable women promoting, preserving & protecting the Flint Hills, April 15 at  Great Plains Theatre .

There is no charge for admission, but attendees are encouraged to register online.

Note: Those who love Sunflower Journeys will remember Prairie Hollow Productions' co-founder, Dave Kendall as its host for nearly 30 years. Kendall also has ties to Dickinson County. We are pleased he chose Abilene's Great Plains Theatre as one of the theatres to screen "Prairie Women: Engaging Women of the Flint Hills."
Reitz & Rust Vintage Market and Camper Show

As featured in SouthernLiving and back by popular demand, the Reitz & Rust Vintage Market's Camper Show!

Saturday, April 28, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
$4 admission

 
Arts & Ales

Save the date! Join the Arts Council of Dickinson County for their inaugural Arts & Ales fundraiser featuring craft beer samples from Kansas breweries, live music and silent auction. 

Saturday, April 28, 2018
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Little Ike Park / Parking Lot
Downtown Abilene

Tickets:
Pre-sale - $30
At the gate - $35

Vendors Wanted

Abilene will be the scene of its first ever outdoor antique festival in the downtown area on May 12.  Five blocks will be closed to traffic and filled with vendors selling vintage, retro, antique furniture and decor, repurposed items, and food.  The event is being presented by two downtown antique malls, Mud Creek and Abilene Downtown Antique Mall and is being organized by volunteers who plan to make this an annual event.
 
Anyone interested in being a vendor can email  [email protected] .    
Throwback Thursday

Today, Abilene is home to more than 200 rooms. Throwback more than 150 years ago and the Drovers Cottage was once the place to stay.

5 Star Reviews - Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum

Ginger and Gary are wonderful hosts and the exhibits were interesting and informative. The building is stunning and well kept! We had a great time!.

-Stephanie Sandborn

Patriotism in Abilene 

Patriotism is alive and well in Abilene! Each year the Abilene CVB purchases 200 flags and replacement poles to line the streets of Buckeye and Third Street.

THANK YOU to all of the businesses, organizations and individuals for assisting with this project.



2018 Flag sponsors:
  • M&M Tire & Auto
  • Danner Funeral Home, Inc.
  • Rivendell Bookstore
  • John's Service
  • Solomon State Bank
  • Greyhound Hall of Fame
  • Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home
  • Bob Burns Insurance Agency, Inc.
  • Next Home Unlimited
  • Eisenhower Foundation
  • Abilene Termite & Pest Control
  • Memorial Health System
  • Sonic
  • Dr. Lawrence M. Cooper
  • Abilene Machine
  • GreatLife Golf & Fitness
  • Abilene Rental-All & Sales, Inc.
  • Black & Co Realtors
  • Linder Electric
  • The Teck Shop
  • Abilene Auto Parts
  • Great Plains Federal Credit Union
  • Brian's Plumbing, Inc.
  • Pottberg, Gassman & Hoffman, Chartered          
  • Prim & Popper Parlor
  • West's Plaza Country Mart
  • Holm Automotive Center
  • Bill & Nanc Scholl
  • Pioneer Farm & Ranch Supply
  • Three One One
  • Brown Memorial Foundation
  • Robson Oil
  • Dennis & Teresa Weishaar
  • First Bank Kansas
  • Stephens Chiropractic
  • Rob & Dawn Hammatt
  • UMB Bank
  • Twila Jackson
  • 24/7 Travel Stores
  • Smart Insurance
  • Auburn Pharmacy
  • Central Kansas Free Fair
  • National Greyhound Association
  • Mildred Hanson
  • Abilene Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Austin & Katrina Gilley
  • Casey & Jane Foltz
  • Julie Roller
  • Harold & Sue Courtois
  • George & Carol McCormic
  • Horizon Farm & Ranch Realty 
  • Cypress Bridge
  • Mark Kinderknecht & Penny Soukup
  • Jessica Weissenbach 
  • Andrew & Renee Boeckman
  • Beta Sigma Phi
  • Faith Lutheran Church
Thank you for your continued support!  

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

train
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad

The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad's 2018 schedule is now available online. Book early to reserve prime dates!

Dickinson County Heritage Center

The 29th Annual Ida Stover-Eisenhower Memorial Quilt Show gives local quilters a chance to show off their amazing talents and imaginations. 

Join us at the Dickinson County Heritage Center March 12-24 to see all the incredible entries and stories of the quilts' history.


Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Annual Paul H. Royer Film Fest

A Hatful of Rain, Royer Film Festival
Thursday, March 15 | 7:00 p.m. | Visitors Center Auditorium

A Korean war veteran who was wounded in action requires extensive painkilling medication while healing and becomes addicted to heroin. " A  Hatful of  Rain" recounts the terrible toll this addiction takes on himself and his family. The frank depiction of drug addiction in  a feature film was  a rarity at the time of this film's release in 1957. The cast includes Don Murray, Eva Marie Saint, Anthony Franciosa and Lloyd Nolan. Free admission.

 1957 | 1 hr 49 min

Great Plains Theatre

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

March 22, 7pm
$5 per ticket
Season Ticket Holders get in FREE!

Winner of the 2015 Tony Award for Best New Play, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME is "dazzling, pulsepounding and remarkable" (Time Out New York) adaptation by Simon Stephens that brings Mark Haddon's internationally bestselling novel to thrilling life.

Fifteen-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain; he is exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor's dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever.


Greyhound Hall of Fame 

Abilene's Greyhound Hall of Fame is open daily. Stop by and say hi to resident greyhounds Gary and Ginger.


Seelye Mansion

Named an 8 Wonders of Kansas - Architecture winner, Abilene's Seelye Mansion is open daily for tours.


Coming soon:
  • Easter Egg Roll at Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home - March 31
  • K-State Skydivers at Abilene Municipal Airport - April 14
  • Prairie Women: Engaging Women Of The Flint Hills - April 15
  • National Greyhound Association's Spring Meet - April 16-21
  • Reitz & Rust Spring Vintage Market - April 28
  • Arts & Ales - April 28
  • Antique Fest - May 12
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