Abilene Summer Days the Fair & Rodeo!

It had been two years since we had been to beautiful, historic Abilene. When Julie Roller Weeks of Visit Abilene invited me to come back, I was ready! There was a new farm toy museum in town plus a whole lot of new fun experiences.

The Holiday Inn where we stayed has a quiet, clean modern vibe.

First fair of the summer!

Our first evening in town, Keith and I visited the Central Kansas Free Fair. Is summer complete without a visit to a fair? I don’t think so, a fair is essential summer. Held at the Eisenhower Park Fair Grounds, what better way to experience a town than seeing the locals enjoying carnival time?

Keith and I put adulting aside and rode the Ferris Wheel.

There were a lot of firsts tonight I had my first Bierock. This was like a meat pie with hamburger, sausage, cabbage and onion. We loved it, we split one along with a serving of German potato salad. Very good.

Our first rodeo!

After perusing the fair, Keith and I attended the Wild Bill Hickok PRCA Rodeo. Yes, this was really our first rodeo! It was fun seeing all the rodeo ware. Cowboy hats and cowboy boots were the main dress for the evening. There were fancy boots brought out for the occasion, and hard-worn, everyday boots. I had fun watching the fashion parade of footwear.

The family sitting next to us were kind enough to explain terms like “breaking the barrier” and how points were added up. The gentleman in the group was even a former bronco rider for ten years from 16 to 26, last competing in 2019. what courage it takes to be a bronco rider!

We enjoyed everything about the rodeo, but the most impressive aspect besides the cowboy and cowgirl talent, was the patriotic aspect of the event.

They said the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the National Anthem, and even introduced veterans. Most amazing of all was honoring Retired Army Lieutenant Col. Chester Petty, who is a WWII, Korean, and Vietnam Veteran who just turned 101. The rodeo is America at its best.

This was the 80^th rodeo and they had rodeo royalty like the beautiful 2026 Miss Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo Queen, Sarah Nemechek. We met her at the Holiday Inn before heading out. 

It was so cool to see this poised young woman barreling around the rodeo at a neck breaking speed in the arena. Thank you to Visit Abilene for hosting us and allowing us to enjoy a fun filled Friday night.

What have you done that has been a first this summer? Stay tuned for more fun in Abilene!