Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum Dawn Hammatt visits with KABI Wake Up Call Host John Anderson about the annual Symphony at Sunset D-Day Commemoration Concert June 3rd.
Symphony at Sunset 2023 – Talking Points
Date: Saturday, June 3 (always the first Saturday in June)
● Bring your lawn chairs, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Time:
● 4:00 p.m. Activities & Food Vendors (campus grounds)
● 4:00 p.m. Hands-on History Carts (museum)
● 5:00 p.m. Thank a World War II Veteran (visitors center)
● 5:30 p.m. Everyday Lights (main stage)
● 6:30 & 8:00 p.m. Mounted Color Guard Demonstration (campus grounds)
● 7:00 p.m. 1st Infantry Division Band (main stage)
● 8:30 p.m. Salina Symphony (main stage)
Cost:
Admission is free, however donations to the Eisenhower Foundation help fund the concert
for future years.
Plus, museum admission is free all day!
What:
The Symphony at Sunset Annual D-Day Commemoration Concert is held the first
Saturday in June at the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas. This outdoor
concert is held on the 22-acre campus with the bronze statue of General Eisenhower
overlooking the events. This patriotic event is in partnership with the Eisenhower
Foundation and Salina Symphony to pay tribute to all veterans.
Food options: Tacos, quesadillas, loaded fries, nachos, asian fusion, ice cream, dessert chips,
brisket, pork sausage dogs, bierocks, assorted pastries, chicken salad, bratwurst, German
potato salad, pie, popcorn, soft drinks, beer, and wine slushies
Exhibits:
● The museum is open with free admission all day
● Boyhood home tours are available. Tickets may be purchased at the Visitors Center
or Museum desk. Tours are scheduled and limited to 10 people per tour.
● Global Gifts is in our Museum Special Gallery. This exhibit showcases gifts received
from around the world during the Eisenhower Administration. It runs through the
end of 2023.
● By The Numbers also in the Museum Special Gallery and open through the rest of
this year. This fun exhibit showcases a variety of paint-by-number pieces created as
a gift for President Eisenhower.
Shopping: The Gift Shop opens at 10 a.m. and will remain open until after the concert for
shopping and restroom use.
Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard: Commanding General's Mounted Color
Guard demonstration team performs at 6:30 and 8 p.m.
5 Star Partners: Visit our 5 Star Museum partners while in town!
Greyhound Hall of Fame, Old Abilene Town, Abilene Smoky Valley RR, DKCO Heritage
Center (exhibits & carousel rides). The ASVRR has steam excursions departing at 10 a.m., 2
p.m. and a dinner train departing at 6 p.m. which will return around 8:15-8:20
Sponsorship information:
Presenting sponsors:
● Community Foundation of Dickinson County
● Marshall Motors
● Friends of the Eisenhower Foundation
Stars & Stripes sponsors:
● Kansas Gas Service
● Vyve Broadband
More D-Day Commemoration Events
WWII Emerging Scholars Symposium
The Eisenhower, Roosevelt, and Truman Presidential Libraries host an annual emerging scholars
symposium to commemorate D-Day. This virtual symposium focuses on specialized topics related
to the Allied effort during World War II. Each program wraps up with a Scholar Spotlight where we
get to know a little bit more about each of these up and coming scholars.
Wednesday, June 7 – 11 a.m.
Visitors Center Auditorium
Keynote Speaker Linda Hervieux
Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-Day's Black Heroes, at Home and at War
Thursday June 8 and Friday, June 9 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. our scholars present their topic followed
by a “scholar spotlight” where we learn more about our scholars and their research endeavors.
Details can be found on our “Commemorate D-Day” program page:
https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/public-programs/commemorate-d-day
Connect with us!
@IkeLibrary: facebook, twitter, youtube and Instagram | www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov
