What's happening at the Children's Art & Literacy Festival this weekend?
After being put on hold last year due to the pandemic, the annual Children's Art & Literacy Festival returns this week for three days of events in downtown Abilene. Starting Thursday evening, events highlighting the work of featured artist Loren Long will include exhibitions, book readings, artist talks and a parade, as well as other activities such as movies, shows and a petting zoo. All events Thursday are free to the public, although space is limited for the artist talk and book signing at the Paramount Theatre. Festival passes will be required for events Friday and Saturday, and are available at abilenecalf.com. Friday  Abilene Public Library: Open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; productions of Abilene Christian University Theatre's "The Little Engine That Could: 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.  National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature: Loren Long book signing from 9-11 a.m.; Loren Long art exhibition and book store open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; book readings every 45 minutes from noon to 3:45 p.m.; ticketed dinner with Loren Long at 6:30 p.m.  Elks Arts Center: Marionette shows at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.  174 Cypress Street: Abilene Christian Schools will apply hair chalking and temporary tattoos from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Grace Museum: Book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.  Everman Park: Train rides from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4:30 p.m.  Minter Park: Professor QB at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Music with Joe McDermott at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.  Nora Hall: Book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.  Center for Contemporary Arts: Book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; experiments inspired by Loren Long books from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with caricature drawings sold for $5  McKay's Bakery: Cookie decorating available for $1.50 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Abilene Philharmonic: Instrument petting zoo from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.  Paramount Theatre: Laughter League at 10:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; New York International Children's Film Festival at 4 p.m.; "Cars" showing at 6 p.m.  Abilene Convention Center: Touch A Truck from 9-11 a.m.; Palette of Purpose chalk art from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Otis's Farm Friends petting zoo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Kornpop at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  Frontier Texas: Little Sluggers baseball activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; birds of prey demonstrations at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; discounted admission with CALF pass from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.  Community Foundation of Abilene: Book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.  More:Join in the summer reading fun at your library  Saturday  Abilene Public Library: Open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; productions of Abilene Christian University Theatre's "The Little Engine That Could: 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.  National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature: Loren Long book signing from 9-11 a.m.; Loren Long art exhibition and book store open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; book readings every 45 minutes from noon to 3:45 p.m.  Elks Arts Center: Marionette shows at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.  174 Cypress Street: Abilene Christian Schools will apply hair chalking and temporary tattoos from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Grace Museum: Book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.  Everman Park: Train rides from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.  Minter Park: Professor QB at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Music with Joe McDermott at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.  Nora Hall: Book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.  Center for Contemporary Arts: Book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.; experiments inspired by Loren Long books from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with caricature drawings sold for $5  McKay's Bakery: Cookie decorating available for $1.50 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Abilene Philharmonic: Instrument petting zoo from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m.  Paramount Theatre: Laughter League at 10:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.; New York International Children's Film Festival at 4 p.m.; "The Rookie" showing at 6 p.m.  Abilene Convention Center: Touch A Truck from 9-11 a.m.; Palette of Purpose chalk art from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Otis's Farm Friends petting zoo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Kornpop at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  Frontier Texas: Little Sluggers baseball activities from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; birds of prey demonstrations at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.; discounted admission with CALF pass from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.  Community Foundation of Abilene: Book readings every 45 minutes from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.