Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau
ABILENE - The national morning show Fox & Friends featured Abilene on Friday morning in its Main Street U.S.A. segment, sharing with more than 1.3 million viewers why Abilene continues to shine as one of America’s Best Small Towns to Visit.
Former Abilene resident and Fox & Friends co-host, Steve Doocy returned home to highlight the people, places and pride that make Abilene special.
More than 200 residents lined the streets for the live broadcast, which showcased the community’s historic downtown, locally owned businesses, and patriotic spirit.
Filming began at Little Ike Park and followed a route along NW 3rd Street and Buckeye Avenue, wrapping up at Amanda’s Bakery & Bistro. Viewers were introduced to several Abilene businesses, including RHV Do It Best Hardware, Cypress Bridge Candle Co., Great Plains Manufacturing, Rawhide Portable Corral, Thunder Struck Bumpers, Holm Automotive Center, Robson Oil Company and the National Greyhound Association—plus a few four-legged stars, the greyhounds themselves.
Adding to the excitement, 54 members of the Abilene High School Marching Band performed on their day off from school, helping Abilene sound its best. Mary Jean Eisenhower, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s granddaughter, joined the celebration and presented Doocy with a Key to the City.
“This morning’s broadcast was an incredible opportunity to share Abilene’s story with a national audience,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Director of the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The energy was contagious and reminded me just how special our town truly is. The best part? We’re already receiving requests for visitor information, and local businesses are getting calls and orders for products!”
Despite the early hour and rain, Abilene’s enthusiasm never faded. Residents and visitors filled sidewalks, waved flags and signs, and proudly showed why Abilene is known for its charm and patriotic pride.
The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau coordinated the event in partnership with Fox & Friends producers, community volunteers and local businesses. The Main Street U.S.A. feature adds to Abilene’s growing list of national accolades, including recognition from USA TODAY as one of the Best Historic Small Towns, True West Magazine as a Top 10 True Western Town, and Newsweek as the #1 Best Presidential Attraction for the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum.
Plan your visit at www.AbileneKansas.org and discover why America likes Abilene.