By Trish Svoboda/Image courtesy of the Dickinson County Historical Society
A new two-day celebration is coming to Dickinson County as part of the U.S. 250 commemoration, funded through local and regional sponsors.
Organized between Old Abilene Town, the Smoky Valley Railroad, and the Dickinson County Historical Society, Plains, Trains and Cowboys: A 250th U.S.A. Celebration, will take place April 24–25 on the grounds of Old Abilene Town and Heritage Center beginning at 10:00 a.m. both days.
Austin Anders, Historical Society Director, said the event was designed to mark the nation’s 250th birthday with attractions that reflect the region’s character and history. “Of course, plains, trains, and cowboys seemed like a natural fit for our area.”
Live music will headline both evenings, with the Lazy Wayne Band performing Friday at 8 p.m. and Rusty Rierson taking the stage Saturday at 8 p.m. Cowboy poets will present programs throughout both days in Heritage Hall at the Heritage Center.
A featured Wild West show will include portrayals of Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill Hickok, along with Mr. Gatlin discussing his famous new Gatlin gun he invented, trick shooting, and trick riding demonstrations. “They’ll have some trick shooting and trick riding just to give a little flavor of kind of what Buffalo Bill would have done.”
Educational sessions are also planned Saturday, including a Photography 101 class and a cast iron cooking workshop led by a volunteer instructor.
“We have a gentleman that’s doing a 101-photography class Saturday morning here on the grounds, and in the afternoon, they’ll go out and take photos. And then one of our volunteers has stepped up and is going to do a cast iron cooking class for those that are interested.”
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for youth under 17, with wristbands required. Events run daily from 10 a.m. to late evening. Local and regional sponsors are helping fund the celebration.
