Night of Christmas Magic

ABILENE PREPARES FOR NIGHT OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC

 Santa and his elves are scurrying to finalize plans for the 8^h Annual Night of Christmas Magic in Abilene on Saturday, December 6.  Activities begin at 2 p.m. with Candy Cane Lane.  Children can pick up their Christmas bag at Paws N Claws and take it to participating businesses to be filled with candy.  Several downtown businesses are providing refreshments or craft activities.  A complete list can be picked up with the Christmas bags.

The Abilene Public Library will offer games, crafts, and a movie from 2 to 4 p.m.  The Arts Council of Dickinson County is sponsoring children’s craft-making in Santa’s Workshop, 203 N. Cedar, from 3-5p.m.  

Downtown merchants are also providing gift baskets to be given away later in December.  Shoppers can register in participating stores for the give away.

Pinnacle Bank is sponsoring a window decorating contest.  $50 in will be given to each of the winners.  Memorial Health Systems is sponsoring free horse-drawn trolley rides by Munson Farms from 4-8 p.m., leaving from the west end of the Union Pacific Depot. 

Abilene Parks & Recreation has organized the Lighted Christmas Parade, beginning at 5:30 p.m.  The parade leaves from Eisenhower Park and travels east on Third Street to the Union Pacific Depot. 

Santa Claus will help with the countdown of the Mayor’s Lighting Ceremony.  Vice Mayor Angie Casteel will lead the countdown to flip the switch on the Mayor’s Christmas tree and outdoor lights at the Union Pacific Depot.  Kids can share their wish list with Santa and have their picture taken with him by Cory Keller Photography.   Santa’s Elves will give each child a bag of candy provided by the City of Abilene.

The evening events conclude with the annual Turkey Toss from the rooftop of KABI Radio at 8 p.m.  Turkeys will be thrown from the rooftop to waiting participants.  Anyone catching a turkey will be given a gift certificate which can be traded for a real turkey at Zey’s or West’s Country Mart.   For more information, call the Abilene CVB at 785-263-2231.