Event Archive

August 2024

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad: Celebrate the Central Kansas Free Fair Centennial: The best of Kansas agriculture on the Smoky Valley Limited

August 3, 2024

The Central Kansas Free Fair centennial means 100 years exhibiting locally produced agriculture and livestock, serving as a mark of excellence in our central Kansas agricultural economy. On Saturday...

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Demolition Derby

August 3, 2024 to August 4, 2024

Visit Abilene, Kansas, for one of the best demolition derbies in the region! A demolition derby is a thrilling motorsport event where participants intentionally ram their modified vehicles into...

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Rodeo Dance at Old Abilene Town

August 2, 2024

Enjoy live music from the Lazy Wayne Band.

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July 2024

Central Kansas Free Fair Parade

July 30, 2024

The parade kicks off the annual Central Kansas Free Fair. The 2024 Parade begins at 4 p.m., Tuesday*, July 30, at 7th Street and Buckeye Avenue (Highway 15) and proceeds south to 3rd Street and west...

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100th Central Kansas Free Fair

July 30, 2024 to August 4, 2024

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...

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Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo

July 30, 2024 to August 2, 2024

Witness the excitement of the rodeo, where skilled cowboys and cowgirls compete in thrilling events!

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Bright Star at Great Plains Theatre

July 28, 2024

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop...

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Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad: Guten Appetit! A taste of Germany on the A&SV Smoky Valley Limited

July 27, 2024

Wilkommen to the A&SV Smoky Valley Limited! We’re proud to feature great German food, complete with German beer on a two-hour train trip through farmland originally settled by German immigrants...

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Bright Star at Great Plains Theatre

July 27, 2024

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop...

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National Day of the Cowboy at Old Abilene Town

July 27, 2024

Old Abilene Town will open at 10 am for visitors to enjoy a vendor fair, food trucks, line dancing, cancan dancer and gunfighter performances. Jade Evens will perform from 6-8 pm

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Bright Star at Great Plains Theatre

July 26, 2024

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop...

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Bright Star at Great Plains Theatre

July 25, 2024

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop...

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Bright Star at Great Plains Theatre

July 24, 2024

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop...

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Bright Star at Great Plains Theatre

July 21, 2024

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop...

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Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad: Rivaling Fred Harvey’s Dining Services: The MKT Katy Flyer

July 20, 2024

The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railway had deep Kansas roots. Commonly referred to as “the Katy,” this legacy company had a rail network that connected towns and cities primarily in eastern Kansas. But...

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Bright Star at Great Plains Theatre

July 20, 2024

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop...

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Petals at Their Peak

July 20, 2024 to July 21, 2024

Petals at Their Peak Garden Showcase

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Ice Cream Social

July 20, 2024

This annual event is a time to enjoy some homemade ice cream and good fellowship. With a chance to take home a pie, cake, cookies, or other baked goods up for auction. Auction benefits the historical...

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Bright Star at Great Plains Theatre

July 19, 2024

Inspired by a real event and featuring the Grammy-nominated score by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop...

Read more
Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad: A&SV Dining Car Heritage Series: Union Pacific’s Portland Rose

July 13, 2024

Central Kansas’ association with the Union Pacific Railroad goes back to 1867 when its predecessor, the Kansas Pacific, was completed, precipitating cattle drives on the Chisholm Trail to Abilene....

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