What's happening at the Children's Art & Literacy Festival?

Now in its 10th year, the annual Children's Art & Literacy Festival returns this week for three days of events in downtown Abilene, this time celebrating the work of Sophie Blackall, the event's first female honoree.

Festivities kick off Thursday evening with events including a parade, costume contest and an exhibition of Blackall's work, and continue 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday with book readings, shows, demonstrations and other activities.

All events Thursday are free to the public, but festival passes will be required for events Friday and Saturday.

Festival passes are $11 for ages 3-12 and $16 for ages 13 and older. Children age 2 and younger are free. All children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

In-person registration will be available at the T&P Depot, 1101 N. First St. For information, go to abilenecalf.com.

The festival last year: Downtown Abilene bustles for badges, balloons, books during second day of CALF

Thursday

4:30 p.m. — Costume Contest, Elks Arts Center

5-8 p.m. — Sophie Blackall Art Exhibition, National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature

5:30-6 p.m. — Storybook Parade, Cypress Street

6:15-6:30 p.m. — Storybook Sculpture Unveiling, Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden

6:30 p.m. — Winnie's Remarkable Garden Party, Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden

7-8:40 p.m. — Sketch with Sophie, Paramount Theatre

Friday and Saturday

174 Cypress Street: Face painting and hair chalking by Abilene Christian Schools from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Abilene Convention Center: Kornpop at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Outside on the convention center grounds, Mr. & Mrs. Bunny's Petting Zoo, Palette of Purpose Sidewalk Chalk Art and Mister will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as a scavenger hunt and storybook audio tour.

Abilene Philharmonic: Instrument petting zoo from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

Abilene Public Library: Open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; productions of "Wild Boars Cook: Live!" at 9:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Center for Contemporary Arts: S.T.E.A.M. Room, Imagination Station for Toddlers, Caricature Artist ($5) and Read to a Dog open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Community Foundation of Abilene: "Negative Cat" readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

More: Abilene Wide Open: De-CALF-inated, one last look at the festival

Cypress and North First Streets: Animal stilt walker meet and greets at 10 and 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Everman Park: Train rides from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Frontier Texas: "The Crows of Pearblossom" readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; birds of prey demonstrations at 9:15 and 10:45 a.m. and 12:15, 1:45 and 3:15 p.m.

The Grace Museum: "Wombat Walkabout" readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Majestic: Book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

McKay's Bakery: Cookie decorating available for $1.50 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Minter Park: Professor QB at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m.; Music with Joe McDermott at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature: Sophie Blackall book signing from 9 to 11 a.m.; Sophie Blackall art exhibition and book store open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; "Finding Winnie" readings every 45 minutes from noon to 3:45 p.m.; ticketed dinner with Sophie Blackall at 6:30 p.m. Friday only.

Nora Hall: "Hello Lighthouse" readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Paramount Theatre: Nancy & Her Friends at 10 a.m., noon and 2:15 p.m.; Ivy + Bean Musical Live at 6:30 p.m.

The Well: Marionette shows at 9 and 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30, 3 and 4:15 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: What to know about Children's Art & Literacy Festival in Abilene Tx