EXPERIENCE FUN AND NOSTALGIC FALL EVENTS IN ABILENE—The fall season is the perfect time to catch a concert with friends, see an “old favorite” play, get ready to trick-or-treat or just share some spooky tales. All of this and more is happening right here in our city…don’t miss out!

The Center for Contemporary Arts features former “Men At Work” front man, Colin Hay in concert, Thursday at The Warehouse, 357 Walnut. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Information: 325-677-8389.

Abilene Christian University presents “Thoroughly Modern Millie” as a part of the university’s homecoming festivities at the Abilene Civic Center. Picture this…it’s the roaring twenties, and small town Millie Dillmount arrives in NYC to see how the other half lives, but what starts out as a declaration of independence quickly turns into a whirlwind of money, romance, kidnapping and a whole bunch of tap-dancing…all leading up to a surprise ending that could only happen in the Big Apple. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets: 325-674-2787.

McMurry University presents the homecoming musical: “The Music Man” in the Radford Auditorium. An affectionate look at Smalltown, USA of a bygone era, The Music Man follows a fast-talking salesman as he cons the people of River City, Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize…except he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef! Performances will be Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets: 325-793-3889.

On Saturday, get moving for a cause. It’s the Fashions for the Cure Annual 5K Fun Run and Walk. The race begins at Frontier Texas! at 8 a.m. Preregister or get more information online at www.cancerservicesnetwork.org.

Join the animals for the Annual Boo at the Zoo, Saturday. Bring the family and stroll the “Treat Path” and receive yummy treats from local businesses. If you come before sunset, the animals will be able to be seen. 2-7 p.m. The Zoo is closed to the public until the event. Only $2 per person. Information: 325-676-6086.

Listen to the spooky tales of Buffalo Gap Historic Village. The annual Ghost Tours are scheduled for Saturday at “dusk-thirty” or around 8:30 p.m. in the Historic Village. Admission is $10 per person. Join Jewellee Kuenstler as she shares historic, ghostly tales about the Texas frontier.

The third Sunday of the month is Military Appeciation Day at Buffalo Gap Historic Village. All active and retired military personnel and their immediate family receive free admission to the Historic Village. Also on Sunday, Boy Scout Troup #219 of Jim Ned will host a Flag Retirement Ceremony. Join the Historic Village as they pay tribute to our country’s Armed Forces. Information: 325-572-3365.

Mark your calendars, “The Rat Pack is Back.” The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council and Celebrity Attractions present the Best of Broadway at the Abilene Civic Center, 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 20. For more information and tickets, visit www.celebrityattractions.com or call 800-869-1451.

The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau would like to welcome the following groups this week to our great city: Abilene Slowpitch Softball Association; Texas 4-H Working Cow and Horse Clinic; ASC Volleyball; Abilene Speedway Southern Challenge; Zops Bike Rally; and Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons and McMurry University Homecoming. Welcome visitors, alumni, family and friends!

For additional 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.