SPECTACULAR SEPTEMBER SCENE IN ABILENE – The month of September welcomes many festivals and events to Abilene. Take time to explore everything Abilene has to offer.

Everyone enjoys a night at the fair! The annual West Texas Fair and Rodeo is back in Abilene, Thursday through Sept. 19 at the Taylor County Expo Center. See the rodeo, livestock shows, exhibits and carnival. Sneak-a-Peek Night is Thursday. Bring the family to historic downtown Abilene for the parade at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Information: call 325-677-4376 or visit www.taylorcountyexpocenter.com.

The Center for Contemporary Arts will host “ArtWalk for Fitness,” from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday. The Center and the Mayor’s Council on Physical Fitness have partnered this month to educate the public and promote healthy living. Work up a sweat at Everman Park, 10-15 minute fitness classes will be offered beginning at 5:40 p.m. The Abilene SWAT team and Fire Dept. will host fitness challenges and obstacle courses in Everman Park, 5-8:30 p.m. Jazz it up at Texas Star, jazzercise demonstrations will be held from 6:45-7:15 p.m. combining cardio and strength for a total body workout. Test your fitness at Best Buy’s Wii Fit station in front of United Way. Stop by The Grace Museum, where children can show off their talent at a free hands-on art activity for children of all ages available from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The Living History Program at the 12th Armored Division will put on a presentation of the Allied and Axis Vehicles of WWII at 6:30 p.m. The NCCIL will host a Come and Go Family Art time from 5:30 to 8 p.m. ArtWalk is coordinated monthly by The Center for Contemporary Arts. Free. Information: www.center-arts.com or call 325-677-8389.

Spend a day in historic downtown Abilene at Downtown Dayz —shopping, art, movies, food and more, Saturday. Pick out fresh, homegrown produce from the Farmers’ Market at N. 2nd and Mesquite, beginning at 7 a.m. “Son of Rambow,” a hit from the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, will be showing at the Paramount Theatre at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The newest gallery, Cedar Break Gallery of Western Art, featuring Barry Arthur, will be open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 957 N. 2nd. Take advantage of the Downtown Dayz discounts and savings! Texas Star Trading Co. is offering 25% off all t-shirts and jewelry. Candies by Vletas will give away a free gift with purchase. Mention “Downtown Days” at Frontier Texas! and receive $1 off admission. Relics and Eternal Threads will serve refreshments. For a full list of activities, visit www.abilenedowntown.com.

Also on Saturday, the Buffalo Gap Historic Village will present “George MacDonald: Images from His World” with photographer and English professor, Dr. Larry Fink, at the Chautauqua Learning Series. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Village Gallery. Admission is $7, and includes lecture and admission to the Village. Information: 325-572-3365.

Make plans to attend a weekend of storytelling in downtown Abilene with America’s finest storytellers: Dan Keding, Eldrena Douma, James Ford and Tim Tingle, Sept. 18-19 at the Tejas Tumbleweed Storytelling Festival. Don’t miss the daytime and evening concerts, workshops, eerie Ghost Stories and the West Texas Liar’s Contest. The Tejas Storytelling Association has hosted a large annual festival for 25 consecutive years and the first ever regional festival will be held in Abilene. Day passes, individual tickets or festival passes are available. Information or tickets: visit www.tejasstorytelling.com.

The 9th Annual West Texas Book and Music Festival will be held Sept. 21-26. This exciting festival recognizes authors, musicians, publishers, readers and listeners from around Texas. Begin the week honoring Abilene authors who have had a book published within the past year at the Local Author Reception. Hear area authors and publishers speak throughout the week at the Hall of Texas Authors, Boots & Books Luncheon, panel discussions, presentations and more. Brave Combo will perform at 8 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, Friday. Festival concludes on Saturday with the West Texas Gospel Hymnfest at the Civic Center. Most events at the festival are free of charge. Information: visit www.abilenetx.com/apl and click on the Boots & Books logo.

Mark your calendar of a weekend of fun at the 15th Annual Big Country Balloon Festival in Red Bud Park, Sept. 25-27. Activities include: colorful hot air balloons, children’s games and inflatable rides, silent auction, 5K run, motorcycle bingo run, food and craft vendors, and much more. Sponsored by the Optimist Unlimited Club of Abilene. Free to the public. Times and information: visit www.bigcountryballoonfest.com.

For more information about Abilene’s events and attractions, visit www.abilenevisitors.com.


Shanna Smith is the Heritage Tourism and Special Projects Coordinator at the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. Contact at shanna@abilene.com.