For three whole weeks, Abilene will be celebrating its antiques with the 5-Star AntiqueFest. The AntiqueFest will be held during the last weeks of May, July, and September.
AntiqueFest will take place inside of the nine air-conditioned and vastly stocked antique stores as well as the several specialty and gift shops in Abilene. Each location will be marked with a giant, white street banner with the AntiqueFest logo.
In addition to the antique stores, field events will be planned, including the Memorial Day activities at Old Abilene Town and the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood home. There will also be a plant sale at the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau, selling annuals and perennials. The plant sale will also be a fundraiser for Trails, Rails & Tales: Spirit of the Chisholm Trail.
In July, a field antique vintage market will be planned taking place at the Abilene fairground and will be put on Jen Reitz of Rust & Reitz, who earlier this year planned a Vintage Marker and Camper show. In September will be the 38th Annual Chisholm Trail Day, which will include train rides, gun show fights, and live entertainment.
An appraisal show will wrap up the week on Sunday at the historic Shockey-Landes building. Each antique store will have on display the very best of their collections and will be available for purchase at the store. Residents and visitors can also bring in collectibles to be appraised from home for $5 per item. Forms must be filled out ahead of time. Contact the Abilene CVB for more information.
