ACTIVITIES FOR THOSE "DOG DAYS" OF SUMMER Spend some time exploring everything Abilene has to offer. From historic downtown to the historic village — these fun events offer something for everyone.

Enjoy those “Dog Days of Summer.” Bring the entire family, including the dog, to ArtWalk on Thursday. Celebrate your furry friends at the dog parade and SPCA beauty pageant in Downtown Abilene at 6:30 p.m. Prizes and trophies will be awarded. PetSmart will also provide pools for your pup to cool off or get a drink. Predestined to Prevail will perform vocal, dance and theatre selections in Minter Park at 7 p.m. Crescent Heights Baptist Church will be playing in Minter Park, 7:45-8:30 p.m. Potter and photographer, Heather Turner and the Dog Park People will be selling ‘doggie treats’ and handing out info about bringing a Dog Park to Abilene in front of Cockerell Galleries and Studios. Ann Whitaker will sign copies of her novel, “Dog Nanny” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Texas Star Trading Company. Enjoy live music, exhibits, museums, street vendors and more! ArtWalk is coordinated monthly by The Center for Contemporary Arts to celebrate visual and performing arts within the historical downtown district. Free. 5 to 8:30 p.m. For a full list of activities, log-on to www.center-arts.com or call 325-677-8389.

The Paramount Film Series will present “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Paramount Theatre. Paul Newman and Robert Redford star in this western/comedy, which defined a generation of filmmakers and filmgoers. Information: 325-676-9620 or www.paramount-abilene.org.

Take a short drive to Buffalo Gap on Sunday. Step back in time at Buffalo Gap Historic Village, located at 133 N. William. It’s Military Appreciation Day from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Enjoy America’s favorite pastime with a little old school style as the Buffalo Gap Chips, the Historic Village’s 1880s baseball team, shows a little “ginger” on the field. Catch an exhibition game at 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission includes both the Historic Village and game. Free admission for all active and retired military personnel and their immediate families. Information: 325-572-3365.

For information about all of Abilene’s events or attractions, visit www.abilenevisitors.com or call 325-676-2556.