Hickok Hits Big Screen
Hickok (the movie) will be in theatres in July!
Infamous gunslinger and outlaw "Wild Bill" Hickok (Luke Hemsworth) attempts to escape his past by settling in the small town of Abilene, Kansas. The mayor (Kris Kristofferson), captivated by Wild Bill's unparalleled gun skills, offers him a job as the town marshal. Attempts to protect the town are soon challenged when a band of outlaws threaten Wild Bill and the laws he administered. Among the outlaws are powerful saloon owner Phil Poe (Trace Adkins), whose relationship with Bill's ex-lover (Cameron Richardson) stirs tension. Poe puts a bounty on Wild Bill's head but with the help of lawman Hardin aka Little Arkansas, Wild Bill sets out to fight the villainous bandits and save Abilene from danger.
Click
here for the full list of actors.
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Abilene CVB Pleased with First Quarter Visitation
The Kansas Department of Revenue recently released the quarterly Transient Guest Tax revenue report and Abilene's TGT collection is 30 percent higher than one year ago.
"The winter months are traditionally slower months for lodging, but we are encouraged to see the number of rooms sold increasing with each month," said Julie Roller, Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau director. "While the first quarter lodging occupancy was 27 percent, Abilene sold more than 5,000 rooms."
First quarter visitation is also up at area attractions.
The Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood home reported a first quarter attendance of 28,118, an increase of 3,000 visitors from this time one year ago. According to Linda Smith, archives specialist for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home, the increase is credited to additional programming and school groups.
"Abilene is known for its vibrant tourism economy and these numbers validate the great work of Abilene's tourism industry partners and leaders," Roller said.
Additional first quarter visitation numbers include:
- Great Plains Theatre (3,509),
- Dickinson County Heritage Center (1,400) and
- Greyhound Hall of Fame (1,127).
Abilene also hosted several special events including the Eisenhower Marathon with 369 runners and the Reitz & Rust Outdoor Vintage Market with more than 4,700 people.
"Events help add to our community by bringing in additional people to shop, dine and stay in our businesses," Roller said. "By bringing in outside dollars, we are able to grow our economy and sustain our community."
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Around Abilene
Magazine finalists: 2 local restaurants among 53 competing
Click
here to learn more!
** Deadline to vote May 31 **
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Save the Date:
Celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week
with the Abilene CVB!
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau After Hours
Thursday, May 11 5:30-7:00
Eisenhower Presidential Library Courtyard
T
ourism Awards begin at 6 pm
Hors d'oeuvres provided by Amanda's Bakery & Bistro
Drinks provided by Smoky Hill Vineyards & Winery and
Kansas Territory Brewing Company
RSVP appreciated
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Abilene CVB Travels to Last Kansas Sampler Festival
The 28th and final Kansas Sampler Festival will take place in Winfield's Island Park on May 6 and 7.
The festival, designed to provide the public a sample of what there is to see, do, hear, taste, buy, and learn in Kansas, will end its successful run as the state's largest outdoor travel show.
Started on the Penner Farm near Inman in 1990 as a book signing party for Milferd Penner and Marci Penner's first
Kansas Weekend Guide, the event led to the formation of the non-profit Kansas Sampler Foundation and its most visible project, the Kansas Sampler Festival.
Tourism exhibitors, musicians, entrepreneurs, cultural heritage demonstrators, historic performers, and food vendors will represent more than 130 Kansas communities in Winfield this year. The purpose of the Kansas Sampler Festival is to grow the exploring audience for Kansas towns.
Local festival director Sarah Werner said, "Where else can you see a live reindeer and a blacksmith demonstration, listen to music on three stages and in an intimate coffeehouse bistro setting, and plan day trips to every region of the state? You'll also find children's activities, lovable Pack goats and two mammoth donkeys, some farm animals, a disc golf demonstration, quilting demonstrations, antique tractors, and much more. You can go shopping for Kansas products in three tents and make your food choices from 20 Kansas food vendors. If you want to get to know Kansas better, this is the place for you."
"Island Park is a beautiful place for this Kansas celebration," said WenDee Rowe LaPlant, Kansas Sampler Foundation festival liaison. "Once again, Winfield Chamber and city staff, plus 400 volunteers, are doing a great job preparing for a historic weekend."
Foundation director Marci Penner said, "The festival started with a book-signing party and will end with one. We'll debut the new
Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers at the festival in the Kansas Explorers Club tent. The book will make it easy to plan your next Kansas road trip."
In 2018, the Kansas Sampler Foundation will start a new event called the Big Kansas Road Trip. The public will be encouraged to explore three designated counties on the same weekend (May 3-6, 2018). Those showcase counties will be announced at this year's Kansas Sampler Festival and information will be available in the Kansas Explorers Club tent.
It's recommended that the public park at the Winfield Fairgrounds at 1105 W. 9th and ride the frequent shuttles to Island Park. Hours are Saturday, May 6 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, May 7 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 7-12. No pets allowed on the grounds. For more information, go to
kansassamplerfestival.com.
Larry Hatteberg will emcee the opening ceremonies on Saturday, May 6 at 9 a.m.
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The Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers
Calling all Kansas lovers and explorers! The Abilene Visitors Center gift shop will have copies of the Kansas Sampler Foundation's new
The Kansas Guidebook 2 for Explorers available starting
Monday, May 8.
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Throwback Thursday
Check out this great postcard found in the Seelye Mansion!
The photo is of the now Abilene Visitors Center.
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Dickinson County Heritage Center
Carry (Carrie) Nation returns to Dickinson County with her temperance speech and saloon throttling. Ellie presents her one woman re-enactment of Nation's original "Hatchetations" that led to one of her 36 arrests in the time before prohibition. Join us at the Heritage Center for a one time show in Abilene sure to leave a lasting impression.
Saturday, May 13 @ 7:00
Tickets: $5/historical society members, $10/non-members
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Friday, May 12,
5 to 8 pm, fundraiser for the Dickinson County
Heritage
Center at the Abilene Pizza Hut.
15% of the sales will be donated to our museum.
Dine-in or carryout for a great cause!
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Eisenhower Presidential Museum, Library & Boyhood Home
Marlin Fitzwater: From Wheat Fields to White House
May 12, 2017 - August 24, 2017
Growing up in
Abilene
, Kansas, Fitzwater looked up to Dwight D. Eisenhower as a hometown hero. Fitzwater earned a journalism degree from Kansas State University then embarked on a career that eventually lead to a decade of service in the White House, from 1983 to 1993. Fitzwater, the only press secretary in history to be appointed by two Presidents, recently donated his personal papers to his alma mater. The Eisenhower Presidential Museum is pleased to collaborate with Kansas State University to bring this extraordinary exhibit to Fitzwater's hometown. "Marlin Fitzwater: From Wheat Fields to White House" will be on display from
May 12 to August 24, 2017
and will feature items from his distinguished career as Press Secretary to Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
Friday, May 12 |
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Library Lobby & Courtyard
Join us Friday, May 12, for a reception celebrating the opening of "Marlin Fitzwater: From Wheat Fields to White House" at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. RSVP by email or call 785-263-6771.
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"Mamie Eisenhower: Hostess in Chief" -
Mother's Day Tea with Ellie Carlson
May 13, 2017
Mamie was America's Beloved First Lady from 1953 until 1961. She was also an Army Wife, Mother and Grandmother. She even inspired her own color, Mamie Pink! Visit with Mamie as she relates her life as Ike's wife, our first lady and "just a good friend," which is how she most wanted to be remembered. Reservations are required for this luncheon. Tickets are $15 each. Make checks payable to the Eisenhower Foundation and send to PO Box 295, Abilene, KS 67410. Or purchase tickets online.
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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. Find out why Dwight Eisenhower developed a love for all things western and the Cowtown that raised a President.
Click here to view the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home calendar.
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Great Plains Theatre
Great Plain Great Players presents:
INTO THE WOODS
May 4th and 5th at 7:00 pm
May 7th at 2:00 pm
Into The
Woods is a musical adventure that follows the slightly lesser known stories of fairy tale characters we all love. How did Cinderella really snag a prince? What did Jack really see up that beanstalk? What are those eyes glowing from the
woods?
Discover new secrets about stories you only thought you knew and join the Plain Great Players as they perform this Sondheim classic
May 4th, 5th, and 7th at Great Plains Theatre.
Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults
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Click image to view calendar.
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We do our best to make sure all information is correct.
It is advisable to always call ahead before visiting.
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