Save the Date - Tourism After Hours




National Greyhound Association Spring Meet in Abilene

On Wednesday, the Abilene CVB hosted a luncheon for members of the National Greyhound Association's board of directors, as well as community leaders.
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"On behalf of the City of Abilene, we welcome you back to our five-star community. Today, we come together to celebrate the greyhound industry and its presence in our community. Many of you seem like old friends. We look forward to your visits, watching the time trials and celebrating your successes.

On behalf of the City of Abilene, I would like to thank you for your continued commitment and presence in our community. We wish you much success this week."
 
Thank you.

- Mayor Dr. Timothy Shafer

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Click here to watch videos from the spring trials. More than 230 dogs registered for the trails.

Click here for the full 2018 Spring Meet Schedule.

Great Plains Theatre Welcomes Former Senator Nancy Kassabum

Those who attended Prairie Hollow Productions' screening of Prairie Women: Engaging Women of the Flint Hills had a special treat. Former Senator Nancy Kassabum attended the this special screening at Great Plains Theatre. 

Kassabaum provided crucial leadership in the creation of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.

With such great interest, a special 4:00 showing was added to accommodate reservations.

Thanks again to Dave Kendall and Prairie Hollow Productions for bringing this great film to Abilene! 
Abilene Welcomes National Association of Attorneys General

Photo courtesy: Kansas Attorney General, Derek Schmidt
Abilene's close proximity to larger cities makes it the perfect location for special tours during conferences. This week Abilene's Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home welcomed the National Association of Attorneys General for a special pre-conference tour.

Thanks to the Manhattan Convention & Visitors Bureau for recruiting and coordinating this conference! 


Calling all quilt lovers!


Our Town: Eisenhower Presidential Library & Museum

Click image to view video.
Eagle Community Television's "Our Town" is at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum to get an update on programming, events and exhibit updates.

Save the date:
Symphony at Sunset
Saturday, June 2


KANSAS! Magazine's Weekend Getaways Finalists

Abilene named one of the 20 finalists for KANSAS! Magazine's Favorite Weekend Getaway contest.

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?

Voting has begun, you can vote daily through March 16 and May 31. Winning "Weekend Getaways" will be announced in the winter 2018 issue.
Readers' Choice Guidelines
  • Vote daily between now and May 31st.
  • Winners will be determined by the total number of votes received.
  • Winners will be revealed in the winter 2018 edition of the KANSAS!.
Please vote daily for Abilene using:

Reitz & Rust Vintage Market and Camper Show

Visit Abilene, Kansas for the Reitz & Rust Vintage Market and Camper Show. Featured in SouthernLiving this is one event you won't want to miss!

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

 
Note: The Abilene CVB is proud to sponsor welcome bags for the first 100 attendees. Businesses, attractions or organizations who want to place items/information in the welcome bags must have all items to the CVB office by Friday, April 20.
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] .    
Car & Truck Show

Join Holm Automotive Center for a fun-filled day celebrating their 35th Anniversary!

Saturday, May 19
10:00 a.m. - 
3:00 p.m.
Throwback Thursday: James "Wild Bill" Hickok

On April 15, 1871, James Butler Hickok was appointed marshal of Abilene, Kansas.
 
5 Star Reviews - Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

I went for Eisenhower, but was most fascinated by the temporary exhibit about the Chisholm Trail and the early days of Abilene. The museum overall was very well done; nicely balanced among personal life, military and political career. 

-tnknitter
Tennessee

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Chisholm Trail and the Cowtown that Raised a President
April 2017 - May 2018
Museum

Celebrate the Chisholm Trail Sesquicentennial as part of the tristate celebration with Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. See rare artifacts and historic photographs. Learn about the "square meal," "real McCoy," origins of the cowboy boot, and "the wickedest town in the West." Discover stories behind the legends of T.C. McInerney, Bear River Smith, and Wild Bill Hickok among others. Find out why Dwight Eisenhower developed a love for all things western and the Cowtown that raised a President!

"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!





Historic Home & Barn Tours
Hollinger House & Barn and Prospect Park
2nd Saturdays
May-October
Includes lunch
Reservations required.

Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home


Sunday, April 22
2:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Schindler's List film screening
Visitors Center Auditorium

Film screening: "Schindler's List"
Rated R | 3 hr 15 min

This program is in partnership with the  Arts Council of Dickinson County .
No admission fee.
Free popcorn.

For more information, visit:  www.eisenhower.archives.gov
.


Thursday, April 26
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
The United States and the Holocaust
Visitors Center Auditorium

Presentation by Mike R. Russell, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of History
Kansas Wesleyan University


Saturday, May 12
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Library Presidential Courtyard

The annual Mother's Day Tea will feature America's First Ladies Man Andrew Och. The program begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12 in the Library building courtyard. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online at  http://bit.ly/2mpUSEA  before May 7.

First Ladies Man Andrew Och is an award-winning television producer and author. He returns to Abilene to present Volume Two of his book documenting the stories of our country's First Ladies titled "Unusual For Their Time." In 2012, he began a historical journey as he traversed America for over a year documenting the lives of every First Lady of the United States for the C-SPAN series "First Ladies: Influence And Image." 

Och has published two books from his research, "Unusual For Their Time: On the Road with America's First Ladies," Volumes One and Two. Both books are for sale in the Eisenhower Presidential Library gift shop or online at  www.ILikeIkeStore.com.
Great Plains Theatre

Cinema:



Coming soon:
  • Reitz & Rust Spring Vintage Market - April 28
  • Arts & Ales - April 28
  • Antique Fest - May 12
  • Car & Truck Show - May 28
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