Abilene CVB Annual Report

With focus on promotion, visitation and sales, the Abilene CVB's 2017 Ann ual Report is now available.

Thank you to everyone who contributed data to this report. We look forward to another great year!

Patriotism in Abilene 

It's that time of year again! 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 Third Street. The flags are flown from the Eisenhower Marathon weekend through Veterans Day. Because they are flown 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 2018 season. The cost of each flag remains the same at $25, which includes the pole and bracket.
 
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.

Flag sponsors to date:
  • 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 Isurance 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
Thank you for your continued support!

 
Abilene in the News

It's great to see Abilene through the eyes of visitors. Thanks to  One Delightful Life for this fun blog post featuring Abilene!

 
Governor Recognizes Abilene

Thanks to Kansas Governor, Dr. Jeff Colyer for this letter congratulating Abilene for its recognition as the #1 True Western Town by True West Magazine.

 
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

Notes from Jeffcoat file: March 9, 1911 - Fire at Union Pacific Hotel. Started by train sparks in a pigeon nest. $12000 to $15000 damage mostly due to water. Almost all plaster ruined. 14 firemen fought it, Chief was Henry Engle and asst chief was Charles Polley.

 
5 Star Reviews

"We had a wonderful experience staying at Abilene's Victorian Inn B&B and would most definitely stay there again if we had occasion to stop again in Abilene. We give this B&B our highest recommendation.

We'd made reservations and even though we arrived later than we'd promised, inconveniencing Adrian & Jay, they were most friendly & accommodating to us. In fact we greatly enjoyed the visit we had with both of them that evening, and with Adrian the next morning at breakfast (Jay had to leave early for his work).

Adrian is a wonderful chef (we wish we'd arranged to have dinner there the night before, which Adrian can provide sometimes). Her breakfast was beautiful presented and delicious to eat!

The atmosphere in the old home feels so warm and friendly. It is a beautiful place. Again, if we'd been able to we wish we could have arrived earlier and left later, it's such a pleasant place to be. You will not be disappointed."

-Wheelsonroads
Denver, Colorado


"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!

Arts Council of Dickinson County

The Arts Council of Dickinson County presents its Annual Winter Film Fest, showing at the Eisenhower Presidential  Library Visitor Center beginning Sunday, Jan. 14, and will run through Feb.18. Movies will start at 2 p.m.

This series is sponsored by the Arts Council of Dickinson County in Partnership with the Eisenhower Presidential Library  and Museum. In conjunction with the free movie series, the Arts Council is accepting canned goods to donate to the
Abilene Area Food Center. There will be an area near the popcorn to place canned goods at the theatre.

Admission to all movies is free and open to the public. Popcorn will be provided at no charge. Sodas may be purchased at  the Visitor Center Gift Shop.

Race - The Jesse Owens Story PG 13 --- February 4
Jesse Owens' quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936  Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy.

Dickinson County Heritage Center

Students from all over Dickinson County show off their masterpieces in the 9th Annual Heritage Art Show at the Heritage Center. The students will get a chance to show off their works for their families and friends, and enjoy a ride on the 1901 Parker Carousel. 

Join us on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 1-4 p.m. There will be no admission for Sunday. The art will stay on display until February 11.

Learn more >
 

Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home

Save the date!
Using U.S. Army Unit Records in Family History Research -
Visitors Center Auditorium -
February 13 at 7 p.m.
Program presented by Mary Burtzloff.


Great Plains Theatre

Purchase discounted season tickets until Friday, February 2. 

Benefits for Season Ticket Holders:
*Ability to choose your favorite seats before individual tickets are available
  
*Includes admission free of charge to our new Reader's  Theatre After Dark shows
  
*Ability to change ticket reservations free of charge

2018 Season:
  • Camelot - June 8-10 and June 12-17
  • The Lion in Winter - July 13-15 and July 17-22
  • Shrek the Musical - August 10-12 and August 14-19
  • Not Another Christmas Letter! - November 30-December 2 and December 4-9
GPT Cinema: Ferdinand (PG) starting Friday, February 2.

Learn more >

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:
  • 1776 the Musical - March 1-4
  • K-State Skydivers at Abilene Municipal Airport - April 14
  • Reitz & Rust Spring Vintage Market - April 28
  • Antique Fest - May 12
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].