Visitor Spending Generates $21.4 Million in Dickinson County ABILENE, Kan. – Visitors spent an estimated $21.4 million in Dickinson County in 2025, according to new economic impact data released by Kansas Tourism and prepared by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company. Visitor spending included $7.9 million on transportation, $5.5 million on food and beverage, $3.3 million on retail, $2...
Abilene rodeo tradition lives on with 88-year-old cowboy Seth Lauer has been to the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo for as long as he can remember. The 88-year-old cowboy has rarely missed a year of the rodeo in his life. Lauer is himself “an old cowboy,” he says, and lives with his wife Judy in the same house in which he was born, located ten miles south of Abilene. He’s not retired; he...
Abilene Welcomes Seven Attractions to 2026 Kansas Sunflower Summer Program Abilene, Kan. – The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau is proud to announce that seven local attractions will participate in the 2026 Kansas Tourism Sunflower Summer program. In 2025, Abilene attractions welcomed more than 7,500 Sunflower Summer admissions, generating nearly $100,000 for local attractions through...
Groundbreaking of the Eisenhower Education Center...
Guests are invited to experience an elegant afternoon at the historic Seelye Mansion during a special high tea on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. This unique event honors Jennie Taylor Seelye, the matriarch of the home and a celebrated hostess in Abilene’s social circles. Attendees will enjoy a traditional high tea service featuring finger sandwiches and desserts from the Seelye fami...
Dickinson County Awards $30,000 to Support America 250 Community Celebrations Dickinson County, Kansas — Dickinson County is preparing for a year of celebration in 2026 as the Board of County Commissioners announces the recipients of the Dickinson County Celebrates America 250 Community Grant Program, awarding a total of $30,000 to support local events, projects, and legacy initiatives. The ...
Dickinson County Communities Recognized for 2025 Community Development Block Grant Awards Dickinson County - Communities across Dickinson County were recognized during the Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Award Ceremony held March 11, 2026, in Topeka, where recipients from across the state were honored for projects funded through the 2025 grant cycle. Proj...
Kansas Recreation and Parks Association Honors Joe Minick with Distinguished Volunteer Award Topeka, Kan. - The Kansas Recreation and Parks Association recognized Joe Minick of Abilene with the Distinguished Volunteer Award during its annual awards luncheon held last week in Topeka. At 90 years young, Minick is widely regarded as one of Kansas’ most impactful volunteers, quietly shaping some o...
The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad’s quest to finish the restoration of its iconic steam locomotive, Santa Fe 3415, has entered the final phases, and railroad officials have set Labor Day 2027 as the time when the 110 year-old locomotive returns to the rails. As the project begins to demand a highly skilled technical point of workmanship, the A&SV is adding a staff of trained steam sp...
A judge has upheld the Dickinson County Commission’s 2-1 vote to let it proceed with construction of the Hope Ridge wind farm. Several residents who oppose the construction of the Hope Ridge Wind Farm had filed a civil lawsuit against the Dickinson County Board of County Commissioners. Listed as plaintiffs were Steve Johnson, Sherry Johnson, Robert D. Hoffman, Jr., Kay Hoffman, Marla Reiff, Dan ...
Kansas News
Visitor Spending Generates $21.4 Million in Dickinson County ABILENE, Kan. – Visitors spent an es...
August 14, 2026 Comments
