5 things to do in Abilene - Week of 7/22/2019

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Looking for something to do? Check out these 5 things to do in Abilene this week!


New Mural 

Graffiti  artist Whitney Kerr and his team are working on a new mural featuring Abilene icons in downtown Abilene. Located behind Little  Ike Park, the mural is sponsored by the Arts Council of Dickinson County and the Community Foundation of Dickinson County. Kerr also completed a mural at the Cedar House greenhouse. 

This new addition will be the perfect location for visitors to take a selfie! 


Central Kansas Free Fair


Find everything there is to see and do at the Central Kansas Free Fair in the 2019 Fair Guide.




Destination Expert and Business Consultant Jon Schallert to Visit Abilene

The Kansas Department of Agriculture and Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau will host a business development workshop featuring Jon Schallert in Abilene on Monday and Tuesday, October 7-8. Schallert, an internationally recognized speaker and business expert, will present a workshop titled "New Rules of Business Success." The workshop will provide Kansas agribusinesses and communities with the business principles and tools needed to reinvent their business or community into a consumer destination. 

Last spring more than 15 Abilene businesses, attractions and organizations attending a one-day workshop with Schallert in Hays. The positive response prompted Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau director Julie Roller Weeks to explore opportunities for funding to bring Schallert and his team to Abilene. With assistance from a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant and match from the Kansas Department of Agriculture and City of Abilene this project is possible.
 
"We are so excited to bring Jon Schallert to Abilene," Roller Weeks said. "Jon's coaching and tips will provide a shot of adrenaline to our businesses, attractions and organizations."
 
This free, two-day agenda will include work sessions with group work, a social media working session, and question and answer sessions.

Travel with Hobbies on a Budget

We have visited six other presidential libraries over the past few years and feel that is very important to learn about the men who have served in the office of United States president. There's something special about getting to know the person behind the office that you experience when you visit a presidential library. More than stacks of books and documents, a presidential library and museum is a chance to connect the dots of United States history.
Secret Spots: Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum

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A secret spot? We disagree, but thanks to  Good Day Kansas  for visiting Abilene's   Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum !
5 Reasons to Visit the Newly Renovated Eisenhower Museum

We can hardly wait to share the new exhibits at the  Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum with all of you!
Check out these tips from our friend, the Everyday Wanderer.


Where To Find High Adventure Along Kansas I-70


High adventure awaits travelers as they cross Kansas on I-70. Most people think that Kansas is all flat. That is not the case, as there are rolling hills and stunning rock formations throughout the state. It was in June of 1956, that President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act. This bill created the miles of roads that we refer to, as the Interstate Highways. While travelers trek along Kansas I-70,  they need to be sure to stop in Abilene. Ironically, here is where you can learn more about how and why our Interstate Highways were born, thanks to our 34th President, Dwight Eisenhower.
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad Update

Thanks to the Community Foundation of Dickinson County and its donors for supporting the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad!

Best Road Trips in the USA: The Ultimate List

Travel in America is synonymous with the open road, with taking a road trip to see some of the nation's most beautiful sites. But which routes make for the best road trips in the USA?

If you don't have months to spend road tripping the whole of the US, what should you prioritize?

We haven't been everywhere, but like the quote says, "it's on our list!" To help us create this ultimate guide to the best American road trips, we asked some of the most well-traveled people we know: our fellow bloggers.

Together, we've come up with a collection of fantastic USA road trip routes, spanning all parts of the country. 

Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden

Stretch your legs at Eisenhower Park & Rose Garden and take in the beauty of the flowers in full bloom! 


The Nicest Place in Kansas: The Cedar House in Abilene

We know Abilene is the nicest place in Kansas, so let's help The Cedar House receive the Nicest Place in America designation. Please vote daily!



Throwback Thursday - Eisenhower Presidential Library pylons

The Manhattan Mercury, October 14, 1954

Did you know?  The Pylons were a project of the Kansas Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in cooperation with the Soroptimists International clubs of Kansas. Completed in 1956, the pylons were originally located in front of the Museum in a reflecting pool. They were moved in 1962 when the library building was dedicated.
5 Star Reviews - Greyhound Hall of Fame Museum
 
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2019 marks 150 years since the City of Abilene's official incorporation. Community events make Abilene not only a great place to live, but also a great place to visit. Make plans now to visit Abilene, Kansas and enjoy these great events! 

Take the Abilene Event Challenge - how many can you attend? Snap a photo and tag us in your Facebook posts @VisitAbilene.


EVENT

WHEN

LOCATION
LEARN MORE
The Man for the Moment: President Dwight Eisenhower, Post-war America, and the Looming Cold War
Thursday, July 25 12-1 pm Eisenhower Presidential Library - Visitors Center Auditorium
Karaoke Night  Friday, July 26 @ 7 pm Old Abilene Town - Alamo Saloon
Memories of the Prairie - Ice Cream Social & Bake Sale
 Saturday, July 27 6-8 pm Dickinson County Historical Society
Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo
Wednesday, July 31 - Saturday, August 3
Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
Central Kansas Free Fair
Wednesday, July 31 - Monday, August 5
Dickinson County Fairgrounds (Abilene)
Central Kansas Free Fair Parade Thursday, August 1 Buckeye Ave / 3rd Street
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
 August 2-18 Great Plains Theatre
National Cowboy Poetry Rodeo August 2-3 Shockey & Landes Building
Chisholm Trail Western Music Show August 3, 2019 @ 4:30-6 pm Great Plains Theatre
Vintage Base Ball Game Saturday, August 3 Eisenhower Presidential Library grounds
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, August 10 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Christian Motorcyclists Association State Rally Friday, August 16 - Sunday, August 18 Dickinson County Fairgrounds / Sterl Hall
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, August 31 @ 6:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Steam Locomotive)
Chisholm Trail Days Saturday, August 31 - Sunday, September 1 Old Abilene Town
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Saturday, August 31 @ 10 am & 2 pm
Sunday, September 1 @ 2 pm
Monday, September 2 @ 10 am & 2 pm		 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Oktoberfest Saturday, September 14 Downtown Abilene
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, September 14 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Hitching Post Restaurant)
 Saturday, September 14 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, September 28 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Heritage Day Saturday, October 5 Dickinson County Heritage Center
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Saturday, October 5 @ 10 am - 3 pm (hourly departures)

 Dickinson County Heritage Center
Steam Locomotive #3415 train rides
 Sunday, October 6 @ 2 pm (last steam run of the year)
 Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Abilene Fire Department 150th Celebration Saturday, October 12  Abilene Fire Department
Historic Home & Barn Tour Saturday, October 12 @ 12:30 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad
Dinner Train (Prime Rib by Mr. K's Farmhouse Saturday, October 12 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
National Greyhound Association's Fall Meet Monday, October 14 - Saturday, October 19  National Greyhound Association
Empires Fall October 18-27 Great Plains Theatre
Dinner Train (Fried Chicken by Brookville Hotel) Saturday, October 26 @ 6 pm Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (Diesel Locomotive)
Makin' Magic - 25 Years of Fun November 29 - December 15 Great Plains Theatre
Abilene's Victorian Inn Christmas Afternoon Tea Saturday, December 7 Abilene's Victorian Inn
Heritage Homes Association's Homes for the Holidays Tour Saturday, December 7
Sunday, December 8		 Varies each year
Night of Christmas Magic Saturday, December 7 Downtown Abilene
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.
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