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Abilene Tourism Advocate
May 26, 2022
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Best Historic Small Town - USA Today Readers (2021) |
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Symphony at Sunset Annual D-Day Commemoration Concert set for June 4 |
The Symphony at Sunset Annual D-Day Commemoration Concert returns to the campus grounds at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum on Saturday, June 4. Several programs are scheduled leading up to the D-Day commemorative concert including the WWII Emerging Scholars Symposium.
Admission to the concert and museum is free all day. Concert activities begin at 4 p.m. with Salina-based band Everyday Lights performing at 5:30 p.m., followed by the 1st Infantry Division Band at 7 p.m., and the Salina Symphony takes the stage just as the sun sets around 8:30 p.m. Food and beverage vendors open at 4 p.m. No weapons or outside alcohol are permitted on federal property. Small, soft-sided coolers are allowed, however, all bags are subject to inspection. Remember to dress for the elements and bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and bug spray!
Guests are invited to arrive early and make time to visit the temporary exhibit Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin & the Art of War. This traveling exhibit from Pritzker Military Museum & Library debuts in Abilene on June 4 and runs through November 27. This retrospective of work by two-time Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist, Bill Mauldin, about our nation's time of war, civil rights, and social justice is an absolute must-see.
Additional details for any of the programs including the WWII Emerging Scholars Symposium, Symphony at Sunset, or the Drawn to Combat exhibit can be found on the eisenhowerlibrary.gov website. This concert is made possible courtesy of the Eisenhower Foundation and Marshall Motors.
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Top 20 Things to Do in Kansas
Salute Eisenhower in Abilene
Abilene's star attraction, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home received a major upgrade in 2019 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of D-Day. In exhibits using multimedia, Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower tell their life stories in their own words, sharing how the hometown boy became a war hero, Army five-star general and president of the United States. A young Ike likely heard tales of Abilene's cattle town days, re-created in Old Abilene Town, where make-believe gunfights erupt in the street. Next to the historic depot, the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad embarks on trips through the Smoky Hill River Valley.
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Note: The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum is currently open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. for guests to explore the museum exhibits, gift shop, campus grounds, and the Place of Meditation.
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Vote Now! Best Historic Small Town
Thanks to Senator Jerry Moran for sharing our good news and encouraging everyone to vote for Abilene in USA TODAY's Best Historic Small Town Contest!
Abilene continues to rank #1 in the contest with 11 days remaining!
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Abilene Receives Grant
Have you ever seen the world’s largest belt buckle? If the answer is no, then just wait; Abilene will have it on display soon.
On May 19, Governor Laura Kelly announced the 11 recipients of the Kansas Tourism Attraction Development Grants, one of which was the town of Abilene which received $22,000 to create the world’s largest belt buckle.
“Tourism is the welcoming committee for new residents and businesses in our state,” Kelly said. “By continuing to develop vibrant travel destinations across Kansas, we are opening the door to more revenue and new economic growth in communities of all sizes.”
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Abilene Visitors Guides Receives Award
The 2021-2022 Abilene Visitors Guide received an Award of Distinction from The Communicator Awards! New Boston Creative Group designed the guide that celebrates Abilene.
About
The Communicator Awards honor excellence in strategic, effective, and meaningful communication across digital, video, podcasts, marketing, mobile, print, and more. Each year, The Communicator Awards receives almost 5,000 entries from companies, agencies, studios, and boutique shops of all sizes, making it, globally, one of the largest award shows of its kind.
Thanks to the Community Foundation of Dickinson County and a Marketing Grant from Kansas Tourism for assisting with this project.
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Footloose to Open in Abilene!
Gotta cut loose! FOOTLOOSE, that is! This rockin' show opens Great Plains Theatre's 28th Main Stage Season of Possibilities. It's time to get excited as rehearsals begin next week for this high-energy show based on the hit movie. This cast, crew, and live band will have you leave the theatre smiling and singing along. Make sure to bring your dancing shoes!
Check out an exciting sneak peek of the insanely talented cast coming in to tell this story.
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Summer Kick-Off Concert
Abilene Parks and Recreation's Kick Off to Summer is pleased to bring Sunset Sinners Concert to Abilene.
The concert is being held at Old Abilene Town. The Wurst Experience and BBQ's Roll-N-Smoke food trucks will be a be there cooking up some delicious food to purchase.
Bring your friends, lawn chair, sit back and enjoy some good music and great food.
Gates will open at 5:00 pm
Concert will start at 7:00 pm
There is no Gate Fee!
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Symphony at Sunset
Commemorate D-Day at this annual outdoor concert held on the grounds of the Eisenhower Presidential Library. The Salina Symphony, joined by the 1st Infantry Division Band, will present a concert of patriotic favorites and World War II era classics featuring vocalist Janie Brokenicky. Learn more
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Footloose the Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Kick off your Sunday shoes with this classic movie turned musical about inspiring a town through the importance of love and dance while witnessing the powers of wisdom and forgiveness. Gotta cut loose! Learn more
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Showdown at Old Abilene Town
Professional boxing, pro/am MMA and kickboxing event by Never Surrender at the historic Old Abilene Town!
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Matilda the Musical at Great Plains Theatre
Follow the classic Roald Dahl story of an astonishingly witty girl with special powers that teaches us to use our extraordinary imaginations to change our destiny. Sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty! Learn more
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Jersey Boys - The Story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons at Great Plains Theatre
Join us for the international musical phenomenon that takes you behind the story and music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Come be a part of the challenges, the rise, and the ultimate triumph a group’s music that became symbolic of a generation. Oh, what a night! Learn more
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Kansas Media Event - Abilene Night
Kick-off the return of the Central Kansas Free Fair with the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, Kansas Tourism, and travel writers from throughout the country. Enjoy seeing a longhorn cattle drive through Old Abilene Town, cowboy poetry from Ron Wilson, live music and more!
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Central Kansas Free Fair
Located in Abilene, the Central Kansas Free Fair is one of the largest in the state. This family-friendly event offers educational activities and entertainment for all ages, including the Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo (August 3-6), which has been frequently voted one of the top outdoor rodeos. Join us for family fun in Abilene! Learn more
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After Rodeo Dance
Visit Old Abilene Town after the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo to enjoy the Lazy Wayne Band (Friday) and Savanna CHestnut and the Field Hands (Saturday).
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Chisholm Trail Days
Celebrate the historic cattle trail at the end of the Chisholm Trail.
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Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery at Great Plains Theatre
The classic literary character of Sherlock Holmes is teamed up once again with John Watson and over 40 other characters to solve a kooky and educational whodunnit. “Elementary, my dear Watson, Elementary.”Learn more
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Abilene Oktoberfest
Abilene Oktoberfest is excited for its 5th Annual Oktoberfest held in Downtown Abilene. There will be German Dancers, Music, Authentic German Food, & Drinks. This year we will have 3 beer gardens, multiple food vendors, Masskrugstemmen, Hammerschlagen, a corn hole tournament, and a Kids Korner that will feature bouncy houses, outdoor games, crafts, face painting, and much more. Downtown Abilene has several wonderful stores that will be open for you to explore before and during the festivities! We will have a lot of exciting announcements coming soon! Make sure to mark September 17th on your Calendar! We are excited to see you at this year's Abilene Oktoberfest.
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Heritage Day Festival
Enjoy living history, steam engine carousel rides, antique tractor show, classic car show, food, and much more at the Dickinson County Heritage Center.
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Wild West Gravel Fest
In its third year, this premier gravel ride attracts riders from across the country! The Wild West Gravel Fest is a gravel bike race in Dickinson County, KS. With races ranging from 200k to 5k, Wild West Gravel Fest appeals to racers who are new to gravel and those who dare to push themselves to the extreme. And make sure to stick around for the after-party at Old Abilene Town. Learn more
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Haunted Cowtown
The ghosts of Old Abilene Town have returned. Take a walk, if you dare, through your worst nightmare, the cursed schoolhouse, the possessed cabin, the haunted cemetery, the spooky saloon, and much more.
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Pink Friday
We've all heard of Black Friday, American Express Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, but what about Pink Friday?
Pink Friday is a small business spin on the traditional Black Friday shopping experience, reminding people to #ShopSmallFirst.
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The Christmas Schooner - A New Musical at Great Plains Theatre
This Holiday treat will have you leaving the theatre with warm fuzzies about a story of the Great Lakes voyages of Christmas Tree ships and a family’s positive spirit to share the power of classic inspiration and Christmas miracles. The heartbeat of life is in our stories and our songs! Learn more
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Cowtown Christmas
Visit Abilene December 3-4, 2022 for the Heritage Homes Association’s Homes for the Holidays Tour, enjoy an Old Fashioned Christmas at the Dickinson County Heritage Center and Old Abilene Town, tour the historic Seelye Mansion and see more than 60 beautifully decorated Christmas Trees, ride the rails with Santa and the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, see the live production of The Christmas Schooner - A New Musical at Great Plains Theatre, take an evening cruise and see Griswold-style decorations, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see Santa, and remember to shop small all season long at Abilene’s small businesses.
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Have an Abilene tourist-related event that isn't listed? Submit it here!
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Experience Art & Culture
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Journey to the Old West
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Live the American Story
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Explore Ike's Life & Legacy
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Enjoy Family Fun and Learning
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201 NW Second St.
Abilene, Kansas 67410
785-263-2231
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Office Hours:
Monday - Friday:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday : Closed
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