Keep up with all events and activities in and around Abilene and the Big Country. Know where to go to find some fun events, activities, and all sorts of entertainment around Abilene and throughout West Texas.

Check back often as this will be updated with all the changes and or additions to the events and activities calendar.

THE LIONS CLUBS OFFER A HOLIDAY FLAG SERVICE
The Abilene area Lions Clubs will help you keep up with Old Glory. The club members make sure that the flag is ready to be flown on those 'flag holidays' that a flag should be flown. This Fourth of July signup with a local Lions Club to display your flag in front of your home and or business, just call 512-586-6018.

THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE PRESENTS "INDEPENDENCE DAY"
Get into the 4th of July HOLIDAY spirit with help from the Paramount Theatre as they show the hit classic, 1996 film "Independence Day" on July 3rd. Enjoy a quality COOL evening with your family and loved ones at the Paramount Theatre at 352 Cypress StreetTickets are only $7 for adults, $6 for students, seniors, military, and children.

THE 'ABILENE FREEDOM FESTIVAL' IS ON JULY 3RD AND 4TH
The Abilene Freedom Festival is set for July 3rd & 4th. The "Downtown Celebration" on July 3rd includes live music, food trucks, vendor shopping, a parade, and the best part is it's free. The Freedom Festival July 4th at the Taylor County Expo Center features food trucks, vendors, a kid's play area, and Neal McCoy, Chris Colston, and Jerrod Medulla live. Doors open at 4 pm and tickets are $25 and available online at AbileneFreedomFestival.TicketBud.com.

DACHSHUND RACES AND RESCUED DOG REUNION IS JULY 15TH
The 'Annual Dachshund Races and Rescued Dogs Reunion' is set to run Thursday, July 15th at Festival Gardens across from the Abilene Zoo. The gates open at 4 pm and the reunion begins at 6:30 pm and the races start promptly at 7 pm. The event is free and benefits Rescue the Animals SPCA. Register online at RescueTheAnimals.org or call 325-695-SPCA.

THE PARAMOUNT'S NEXT FAMILY FILM SERIES IS JULY 18TH
The Paramount Theatre continues with its themed classics Summer Family Film Series featuring the 2016 animated comedy musical "Sing". Enjoy over 60 popular hit songs and stars the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, and many more. Tickets are only $2 general and MUST be purchased in advance online at ParamountAbilene.com or by calling 325-676-9620.

GARAGEBAND WOODSTOCK 11 IS SATURDAY JULY 24TH
Get ready to step back in time with Garageband Woodstock. The event that takes you back in time to the '60s and '70s with live music, will benefit the nonprofit  New Horizons. Tickets are just $25 in advance and $30 at the door you can buy them online at GaragebandWoodstock.com.

FOOD MANAGERS CERTIFICATION TRAINING IS AUGUST 16TH & 17TH
Learn about the major causes of foodborne illness and how to prevent them, increase your food safety knowledge, foodborne illnesses and how they are caused, food safety hazards, and sanitation regulations. Then take the certification exam, and become a state 'Certified Food Manager' from the Texas A&M Agrilife Extention Services in Abilene. 

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LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

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