When i found out that abilene, texas was the storybook capital of texas and there were 18 sculptures and counting of classic storybook characters scattered around the downtown cultural district i knew i had to find them all. For travelers who use our custom trip planner, abilene holidays become easier to arrange, with trips to the adamsonspalding storybook garden and other attractions mapped out and timetabled. Abilene is known as the official storybook capital of texas because it has the largest public collection of sculptures storybook characters in the state. The sculptures were created by storybook sculptor steve neves and cast in bronze by schaefer art bronze. On june 8, 2017, the adamsonspalding storybook garden was unveiled on the southeast lawn of the abilene convention center with thousands of people in attendance, including the family of garth williams. Well the city came up with the idea to showcase childrens literature by building a museum. The city is home to a museum that was the first of its kind in the nation called the national center for childrens illustrated literature, and storybook sculptures of characters from child.
Abilene gives is powered by the community foundation of abilene. The statues were well worth seeing especially the park area with several dr. The city built a museum that was the first of its kind in the nation called the national center for childrens illustrated literature. A trip to the storybook capital of texas, abilene a southern traveler. Known for its cowboy charm, abilene has an endless list of fun things to do with friends and family. The city started an annual event called the childrens art. Click to find out how you can become part of the story. At the airport, follow the signage near the terminal to the car rental return area. The announcement was made wednesday afternoon during.
The ceremony will take place after the storybook parade. Tale as old as time is a family event hosted by the abilene cultural affairs council in partnership with the abilene philharmonic and abilene christian university theatre. On june 8, 2017, the adamsonspalding storybook garden was unveiled on the southeast lawn of the abilene convention center with thousands of people in attendance, including the family of. One might ask how in the world did abilene become the storybook capitol of texas. We saw the cat in the hat, the lorax, three little kittens, stuart little and more friends we easily recognized from our favorite classic storybooks. Story time was something many of us looked forward to every night as kids. Mar 08, 2020 abilene ballet theatres spring show with princesses and storybook characters. Visit adamsonspalding storybook garden on your trip to abilene. Established in 1965 as one of the first koas in texas, abilene koa journey has provided travelers and visitors hospitality and rest for over 50 years. Abilene links texas tech university health sciences center. The city is home to a museum that was the first of its kind in the nation called the national center for childrens illustrated literature, and storybook sculptures of characters from childrens books populate downtown abilene. Seuss characters, which are among 24 statues in the area. Or stroll through the adamsonspalding storybook garden located on the convention center grounds, a tribute to the texas legislature designating abilene as the storybook capital of texas.
Discovery, expression, characters, story telling and creativity brought to life. Abilene boasts a proud military history, having been home once to a u. The parade is followed by a costume contest and an unveiling of a new storybook sculpture at the adamsonspalding storybook garden, joining the largest collection of public. Seymour is a character created by walter wick, the 20 calf honoree. Abilene gives is a 24hour day of giving to raise money and awareness for local nonprofits.
Then came storybook sculptures of characters from childrens books populating downtown abilene. We ventured to downtown abilene to see larger than life storybook characters greeting us. Adamsonspalding storybook garden is located in abilene. Visit abilene, the storybook capital of america right here in. The national center for childrens illustrated literature 102. Home to the largest collection of storybook sculptures in america, according to its website, is abilene, texas. Known as the storybook capital of texas for having the largest public collection of storybook characters in the downtown district, this city has a ton of attractions. To help children find each seymour, a passport was created. Visit abilene, the storybook capital of america right here. National center for childrens illustrated literature. Here you can purchase souvenirs, memorabilia, collectibles, clothing, gifts, and more for all your special occasions and people. Nov 04, 2018 we recently visited abilene, texas which in 2018 became the official storybook capital of america. The garden is populated with imaginatively sculpted storybook characters like the three little pigs and wilbur and charlotte from charlottes web, all created by hardinsimmons own steve neves.
The national center for childrens illustrated literature is thrilled to announce their fall 2019 artist and exhibition, yuyi morales. It is a great place to just wander and enjoy life and art and wonders of storybook characters in abilene. Once upon a time, there was a city called abilene, texas, that dedicated itself to showcasing the wonders of childrens literature. Watch as colorful characters from timeless childrens stories bounce down the streets of abilene in the storybook parade, which kicks the festival off on thursday. Located in historic downtown abilene, frontier texas is a western heritage center that allows visitors to relive the old west through the magic of stateoftheart technology. The storybook sculpture project in downtown abilene is the largest collection of public sculptures depicting characters from childrens books in. The book was set in abilene, tx and it was loved so much that mr. Help us celebrate this wonderful accomplishment by sporting some of our storybook capital merchandise. Downtown abilene is home to a slightly different kind of public art display as it features sculptures of characters from popular childrens books that. Adamsonspalding storybook garden abilene 2020 all you. Through engaging, volunteerled activities, young students learn about individual choices, money, the importance of saving and giving, and the value of work. Apac offers a variety of summer camps for all ages and ability levels. Public sculptures of many styles are in abilene, but the city is known as the storybook capital of america, in part, for its two dozen sculptures of childrens book characters populating the.
The whole family is invited to this fun, free event at the south branch library. Visit downtown abilene and snap a selfie with six sculptures of dr. When i found out that abilene, texas was the storybook capital of texas and there were 18 sculptures and counting of classic storybook characters scattered. The city boasts numerous green spaces as well as an impressive zoo representing hundreds of species of animals. Walking around the park and several of the downtown streets to see them ended up being a real treat for her.
The storybook capital of america is a magical town right here in texas. Hand feed a giraffe, explore the ruins of a frontier army fort, play on one of the best golf courses in texas, and go on a scavenger hunt for eccentric characters from classic. Nov 19, 2019 welcome to abilene, the official storybook capital of america. February 7, 2019 by sportsevents magazine abilene is where champions are made. Abilene texas area attractions and activities abilene koa. We recently visited abilene, texas which in 2018 became the official storybook capital of america.
Enjoy fun activities nearly 20 venues in downtown abilene as we celebrate the books and characters of loren long. Be sure to check out all of the storybook characters in the downtown area. Rodeos, concerts and festivals, great local restaurants, and a variety of museums and historical attractions provide ample entertainment and educational opportunities all year long. Only in abilene will you find this wonderful storybook garden. Storybook capital of america you will find characters of every kind in the downtown cultural district, home to the largest public collection of storybook characters. Fairytales and fables ballet abilene cultural affairs council. Sep 16, 2016 the storybook sculpture project in downtown abilene is the largest collection of public sculptures depicting characters from childrens books in the u. Our vivid imaginations would picture characters bounding off the pages, no longer fictitious beings but instead real manifestations of childhood dreams. You will find characters of every kind in the downtown cultural district, home to the largest public collection of storybook characters. There, you can park the car and check out at the desk inside the terminal. You will find characters of every kind in the downtown cultural district. With 25 sculptures and counting, these characters brand abilene as the storybook capital of america. Kids can feel free to come dressed up in your favorite princess or prince costumes, or other storybook characters to then join us for stories, songs, games, crafts, and more at this majestic storytime.
Abilene is home to the largest storybook sculpture collection of its kind in america, if not the. Whats happening at the abilenes nickel is priceless. What to do on a weekend getaway to abilene, texas texas. Three days of familyfriendly activities occur throughout the storybook capital of americas cultural district of downtown abilene in a weekendlong. Patent and trademark office to trademark the term abilene, tx storybook capital of america. The key city received the trademark from theunited states patent and trademark office.
The garden now includes good night dinosaur, a storybook sculpture dedicated in 2016, and has room for future sculptures to be installed. On october 17, 2018, the request was approved and abilene was officially named the storybook capital of america. Storybook capital of america abilene, tx city of abilene. Head to the abilene zoo, which houses over 1,000 animals representing 250 species.
The city built a museum that was the first of its kind in the nation called the national center for childrens illustrated literature nccil. To learn more about the storybook capital, visit the storybook capital of america website. About the storybook capital of texas the project was set in motion in 1996 when the mayor of abilene was asked to read the william joyce book santa calls to a group of school children. Sep 18, 2019 abilene, tx has been officially designated the storybook capital of america. Attire includes loosefitting clothing and sneakers.
Featured events childrens art and literacy festival. Ja ourselves uses storybook characters in readaloud and handson activities to introduce the role people play in an economy. In 2015, the 84th legislature of the state of texas designated abilene as the official storybook capital of texas for its efforts to celebrate literary works for children. Storybook garden showcases the beloved characters from childrens books throughout its downtown garden which comes to life via the towns. Then came storybook sculptures of characters from chi. Though a few of the storybook characters i had no idea who they were.
Storybook sculpture abilene convention and visitors bureau. Meeting room 4310 buffalo gap road abilene tx 79606. Head to adamsonspalding storybook garden next to abilene convention center to meet all the iconic storybook characters from charlottes web, the three little pigs, and more. It was nice stop, got us out of the car which when driving with a 4 and a 2yearold is what helps make for much more enjoyable trip. Guest performers this year include member of the avant chamber ballet of dallas. The official storybook capital of texas has streets and parks lined with sculptures not of famous people, but of beloved storybook characters. View and print the abilene event calendar, and learn about all the things to do throughout the year in abilene, tx. Use a gps, smartphone, or map and make your way to abilene regional airport. As the storybook capital of texas, abilene offers a plethora of adventure into. Head to adamsonspalding storybook garden next to abilene convention center to meet all the iconic storybook characters from charlottes web, the. Dec 29, 2018 the storybook capital of america is a magical town right here in texas story time was something many of us looked forward to every night as kids.
The storybook sculpture project in downtown abilene is the largest collection of public sculptures depicting characters from childrens books in the u. Students will take the story from page to stage in this fun filled one week theatre camp for ages kindergarten2nd grade completed grade by summer. Abilene ballet theatres spring show with princesses and storybook characters. Enjoy abilene like a tourist with these top 10 places to visit. On the bright side gives us something to look for in our next trip to the library. Known as the storybook capital of america, lies this charming town waiting to unlock pages of childrens literary favorites among beloved statues lining the paths of its storybook garden. Families also should take some time to wander around the cultural district, filled with museums, galleries and sculptures based off storybook characters. Fairytales and fables ballet abilene cultural affairs. Abilenes downtown storybook characters share wit and wisdom with their young fans. The garden is populated with imaginatively sculpted storybook characters like the three little pigs and wilbur and charlotte from charlottes web, all. We will be adding new products regularly, so stay in the know by following us on facebook and instagram. Air force base, which remains its primary employer.
New bronze pieces are added to the storybook sculpture project by the abilene cultural affairs council each year during the calf festival based on the work of the artist on exhibit that summer at the. The city contains over 120,000 people, making it the 27 th most populous in texas. This is the nccils first female latina solo show in the history of the organization. The event will take place in the adamsonspalding storybook garden, which will open at 10. And whereas abilene enjoys a reputation as an art and storybook loving, family friendly city, and whereas in 2015 the 84th texas legislature proclaimed abilene the storybook capital of texas. Although our season concludes with our annual may show, the fun continues throughout summer. Currently at 24 pieces of art, the collection is growing yearly.
Abilene, texas is the storybook capital of america. Downtown abilene is home to a slightly different kind of public art display as it features sculptures of characters from popular childrens books that werent each decorated by a different local artist. After the national center for childrens illustrated literature was created the citys next step was to build a series of sculptures of some of the most beloved. Explore oneofakind historic sites, discover why abilene is the official storybook capital of texas, hand feed a giraffe at the abilene zoo, and take on one of the best public golf courses in the lone star state. The storybook capital of america texas hill country. In 2017, the abilene cultural affairs council applied to the u. Attending a summer camp is a great way to make education fun and keep creativity at a productive level. Take a day trip to find the quirky storybook sculptures that ignite the imagination in downtown abilene the storybook capital. Registration opens in february at thursday schedule events are free. Abilene visitors guide things to do on visitortips. These beautifully crafted bronze sculptures were inspired by the loren long book otis. Abilene cultural affairs lists other sculptures at its.
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