Christmas Lights Tour 

Join the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad for a Christmas lights tour!

Friday, December 7 @ 6 pm & 7 pm
Saturday, December 8 @ 6 pm & 7 pm
Friday, December 14 @  6 pm & 7 pm
Saturday, 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.

Top 10 Kansas items to put on your shopping list
 
Kansas has some serious shops to celebrate. Not quite finished with holiday shopping? Explore unique Kansas gifts and charming stories - in person or online. Give someone you love something special from Kansas.

Abilene Flag Project
 
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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flag sponsors as of 12/5/2018:
Abilene Auto Parts Inc.
Abilene Machine Inc.
Abilene Rent-All & Sales
American Family Insurance
AuBurn Pharmacy 
Bert & Wetta Sales Inc
Black & Company Realtors
Bob Burns- State Farm Insurance Agent 
Casey & Jane Foltz
Central Kansas Free Fair
Danner Funeral Home
Don's Tire & Supply Inc
Eisenhower Foundation
Everett's Inc.
George & Carol McCormic 
Jessica Weissenbach
Kenton & Stephanie Clark
Dr. Lawrence Cooper
Larry & Tina Rankin
Martin Becker Carlson Funeral
Martin Schneider in Memory of Jack Schneider
Patterson Healthcare Pharmacy
Peterson Monuments & Designs, Inc.
Pinnacle Bank
Pottberg, Gassman & Hoffman
Rivendell Bookstore/Picture This Plus
Robson Oil Co Inc
Solomon State Bank
Sonic Drive In
Stan Foltz 
Tom & Janet Whitehair
West's Plaza Country Mart

Throwback Thursday
 
Wednesday, December 5 was the National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush. Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of Eisenhower's death. Below was the schedule for his tribute:

Star-Gazette, Elmira New York
March 29, 1969
5 Star Reviews - Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
 
train
Wonderful time!

This was the first train ride for this 60-something guy - my wife and I went for our 2nd Wedding Anniversary and absolutely loved it! The volunteer who narrated the excursion was excellent!

Great Bend, Kansas



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



Not Another Christmas Letter! The Musical

Have you ever finished a book, seen a movie, or watched a play and had the characters and story linger with you? That's how I feel about my experience at  Great Plains Theatre  last night. And just when "Not Another Christmas Letter" had my sides splitting with laughter, a poignant scene caused a few tears to slip from my eyes. The show picks back up December 4th and runs through December 9th. If you are anywhere near Abilene -- and by that I mean anyone from Kansas City to Hays -- you really should  Visit Abilene Kansas  and see it. You won't be disappointed!



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.

Santa Train


Santa Train
Saturday, December 8
$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.
Cowboy Christmas

Santa Visits Ginger

Saturday, December 15
1-3 p.m.
Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum

Ginger is having a Christmas visit from Santa! Come and join them. Take pictures of your kids with Santa and Ginger. View the museum. No charge. Everyone is welcome
Holiday Market

Gift & Craft Show - hosted by Abilene KS Gift & Craft Expo
Sunday, December 9
1 - 5 P.M.
Sterl Hall
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].
About us
The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau  is the marketing arm of the City of Abilene and provides services to tourists and groups convening in Abilene.
Sign Up!
Receiving this email from a friend? 
Join the Abilene Tourism Advocate e-newsletter list. 
Click  here to sign up!