Events

JANUARY 23, 2010: Kansas Statehood Ball ---This years Ball will be the first of a series of events to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Dickinson County as we celebrate the birth of our great State on January 29, 1861. The 13th year for this annual event, it is a fun activity for the whole family, the Kansas Brigade Band plays 1860's period music and many like to dress in period clothes and learn some of the dances that were popular in 1861. Sterl Hall, 7:00 to 9:00 PM, on the County Fairground in Abilene. Although 1860's clothing is not required, dancers from all over the state come in period dress and join local residents. This is an event for the entire family. The ball begins with the "Grand March" and is follow by a waltz. Other dances scheduled include the Virginia Reel, the Jenny Lind Polka and the Hat dance. Refreshments will be served. Admission: $5.00 for non-members, $3.00 for DCHS members, $2.00 for children under 12 years of age. For more info call the Heritage Center 785-263-2681.

January 31, 2010: Heritage Art Show Reception--- 2:00 pm at the Heritage Center. Admission to the museum is FREE! Come in and see art by local students.

January 31- February 6, 2010: Heritage Art Show--- County schools exhibit works of art created by their students. Art is displayed through out the museum.

MARCH 15-28, 2010: Annual Ida Stover Eisenhower Memorial Quilt Show ---in the museum.

The quilt was made by her aunt, Elsie Gaskill Holloway in the mid 1970s. It was made from recycled garments.

APRIL 25, 2010: Community Mingle sponsored by Abilene Chamber of Commerce -- an opportunity to find out all about what Abilene has to offer the community. Sterl Hall. 1 to 5 PM

PIONEER CAMP --- An opportunity for youth this years' second grade through fifth grade to experience the ways of their ancestors. Sessions use the Heritage Center's cabin setting and involve participants in cooking, cleaning and other daily living activities required 100 years ago on the Kansas prairie. Skills include churning butter and baking the bread to spread it on. Visitors to the center during the two weeks of the camps often become involved in the activities, adding to the education process as well as the fun had by the 'campers'. Reservations are required. Fee. Call Heritage Center 785-263-2681

JUNE and JULY : Memories of the Prairie --- A 30 to 40 minute program on the pioneer history of the city, county and state presented each Saturday night in June and July each year. Visitors to Abilene are invited to the programs which are free of charge. Programs begin at 7:00 PM in the Heritage Center's Historical Museum. For addition information, call the Heritage Center 785-263-2681.

July 24: National Day of the Cowboy Celebration--- 11am-8pm.To be held in Old Abilene Town.

OCTOBER 2: 32nd Annual Chisholm Trail Days Festival --- 10 am - 4 pm. The festival includes live entertainment, historical presentations, folk craft demonstrations and an antique farm show featuring the Ford and Fordson Tractors this year. Admission. $5.00 per person with children under 12 free. Held annually the first Saturday of October on the grounds of the Heritage Center, this annual festival celebrates Dickinson County's role in the massive cattle drives, especially Abilene, the trailhead at the "End of the Chisholm Trail" where the cattle finally met their ride to the eas

tern markets.

The festival spills over from Heritage Center grounds into the street and the Eisenhower Center.

ANTIQUE FARM SHOW: There will be living history demonstrations, farming demonstrations and antique gasoline engines, antique car and antique farm shows. The Antique Farm Show in 2009 features the Massey-Harris-Ferguson tractors and equipment, but all makes of tractors are welcome to participate. There will be threshing demonstrations throughout the day and don't forget the Parade of Power scheduled for 1:00 PM. There will also be tractor games and other farming demonstrations like threshing.

KIDS AREA: Kids Area will include activities sponsored by the Arts Council of Dickinson County. There will be roping, games and other activities. There will also be a petting zoo provided by the 4-H Ambassadors.

LIVING HISTORY DEMONSTRATIONS: Among the living history demonstrations will be cane squeezing, saw mill and cider press. Pioneer cooking demonstrations will include molasses cooking, break baking, and pioneer cooking. See Quilting demonstrations. There also is blacksmithing, woodworking and rope-making, corn shelling, chair caning, spinning and weaving, and the threshing machines, all on the grounds.

Don't forget the rides on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Train with pickup at the Heritage Center. Special rate is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for those 12 and under. 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

The 105 year old Band Organ will be playing the traditional Carousel music as you ride the 1901 Carousel. The restored Band Organ was built in 1903 by the Deklestian Band

Organ Company, the company that later would be known as the Wurlitzer Company. When Rudolph Wurlitzer purchased the company in 1907 he converted the band organs to a roll mechanism. The Carousel will be steam powered during the festival. Rides are $1.00. (half-priced that day only)

Don't forget to visit the Heritage Center Museums and the special exhibit while at the Festival -- admission to museum is free during the festival. Also remember there will be several food vendors on the grounds. Entertainment is funded in part by the Kansas Arts Commission, The Arts Council of Dickinson County, and local businesses and sponsors.

OCTOBER : Volunteer Luncheon -- Annual appreciate luncheon for the many people who volunteer their time at the Heritage Center. These include docents, office help, mowing, painting, events, board members, Pioneer Camp assistants, committee chairs for various events, etc. Call the center for additional information about the Volunteer Program.

NOVEMBER 18, 2010: Annual meeting and dinner, Dickinson County Historical Society.--- 2010 is the 82nd anniversary of the Society Dinner. All members and their guests are invited to attend. Includes annual reports, election of new board members, entertainment, and dinner. A special program will be given. Tickets for dinner - $12.50, available at the Heritage Center. 6:00 PM - Location to be announced. (Click here for addition information about DCHS membership.)

DECEMBER 4-5: Christmas Tour of Area Historic Home --- 4 to 8 PM on Saturday, & 1 to 5 PM on Sunday. -- One of the many charms of Dickinson County is its magnificent collection of stately homes dating from the late 1800's and early 1900's. Working in conjunction with the Heritage Homes Association of Dickinson County, the first weekend of December you are invited to tour Historic Homes in the area which have been decorated for the holidays. This will be the 29th year for the annual tour. Refreshments will be served at the Heritage Center. You can also purchase you tickets at the Center. Tickets are $15 per person. Call the Heritage Center for information and list of homes.

DECEMBER 5: Christmas in the Cabin --- 6 - 8 PM Christmas is a magical time and when you visit the pioneer family preparing for the holidays, take a ride in a horse pulled wagon and visit the Burklund Store you begin to feel what Christmas was like when Kansas was first a state. You will also want to ride the carousel which will be playing Christmas music from the band organ. Emphasis is on the simple and traditional in the cabin with even a visit from St. Nick. Refreshments are served. Admission is free. On the grounds of the Heritage Center's Out-of-Door Museum./Pioneer Village.