CALF Children's Art + Literacy Festival in Storybook Capital of America

06/08/2026

Take a look at this incredible Winnie-the-Pooh themed quilt created and donated to CALF by ! The quilt features all of our favorite fuzzy characters from the 100 Acre Woods! This quilt will be available as an auction through CALF until 5 PM on Saturday, June 13th.

The quilt is soft and uses extremely high quality materials. Place your bid in person at the T&P Depot at 1101 North 1st St.

Don't forget to sign up for the CALF! Also, remember to pick up your tote bag at the T&P Depot.

06/06/2026

As we approach the start of CALF, it's important that you have all of these CALF essentials!

1. Water - Plenty of it!
2. Sunscreen - Protect your skin!
3. Athletic clothes - Perfect for walking outside!
4. Hat - To cover your face from the bright sun.
5. Sunglasses - Shield your vision!

Remember to always be aware of the weather! Abilene can change from sunny to stormy in a matter of minutes! Thankfully many of our venues are indoors, but be sure to bring an umbrella in case it's rainy to shield yourself from the rain as you walk to and from our event venues.

We will be selling hats for the festival! Be sure to purchase them fast, they are only available while supplies last! We have sizes for adults and children available!

Thank you once again to all of our sponsors for making this festival possible!

06/05/2026

We will be back open Monday at 8:30 am for you to pick up your passes! It’s better to get them before the festival begins to avoid lines! The Depot gets very busy during CALF.

Festival headquarters is at 1101 N 1st St. at the T&P Depot across from The Grace Museum.

06/05/2026

Just a reminder CALF is only a week away, and we can't wait for the start of the festival!

The festival begins for everyone on June 11th with Winnie-the-Pooh's 100th Birthday Party!

The party will begin at 5 PM at the Abilene Convention Center and is free to the public! There we will be unveiling 9 new brass sculptures, further expanding Abilene's storybook sculpture collection! We can't wait to see you there!

Also, don't forget to sign up for CALF and pick up your tote bags at the T&P Depot on N 1st St. Registration is open now!

06/04/2026

We need help!

Here is a list of the spots that we need filled for many of our different stations! We couldn't do the festival if it wasn't for the incredible help from our volunteers!

If you or if you know anyone that wants to volunteer for the CALF, send them this post! Any help counts!

All volunteers need to be 16 years or older. If you have a group of teens who would like to volunteer, they must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Please message [email protected] to find out more!

Copy the link below to sign up. Our volunteer sign up can also be found on the homepage of our website, abilenecalf.com. Thank you to all of our volunteers and sponsors for making this festival a reality!
https://www.signupgenius.com/tabs/13575DF01A6C3E8C7AE7-calf3 #/

06/03/2026

WE NEED HELP!!!

Use the link provided below to sign up for help at with the STEAM room during Abilene's CALF!

Help children discover the wonder of science, technology, engineering, art, and math!

If you are a lover of art or science, sign up now!!!

The Center for Contemporary Arts will be hosting the The S.T.E.A.M. Room in the Photo Gallery. The room offers four stations with creative science activities related to the featured illustrator's books. Venue Volunteers will help children with these activities. The S.T.E.A.M. Room Project Managers A...

06/02/2026

We can't wait to introduce Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends to the Clear Fork Bank Storybook Garden!

Abilene is the largest collection of storybook sculptures in America, and it's only getting bigger.

Come to Winnie-the-Pooh's 100th Birthday Party on June 11th at 6:15pm at for the unveiling of 9 new brass sculptures including Winnie-the-Pooh and 8 of his friends!

Many of the sculptures will also include sculpture houses in the garden, perfect to protect Pooh's many friends from blustery winds or Abilene's flash flooding! Thank you to all of the sponsors that donated to expand our storybook collection even more!

05/31/2026

Don't forget about tomorrow!

June 1st is the first day for CALF Tote pickups! This is when you will be able to pick up your CALF passes for you and your family as well as any other items or shirts you may have purchased! The T&P Depot board room will be open starting 8:30 AM till 5:00 PM.

The Depot will also be available for anyone that wants to purchase passes for the CALF! Look for the signs outside that say "CALF Registration" and "CALF Tote Pick Up."

05/29/2026

Update on NCCIL events for CALF!

Only one Picnic with Pooh time slot and one Workshop with Faith Pray time slot available! If you plan to be here, don't wait to register your child or family for these special events.
https://www.nccil.org/events-calendar

05/28/2026

Download the free GooseChase app for Android or iPhone to join the CALF Scavenger hunt!

Play by yourself or with a team. Join the game by searching for "2026 Abilene CALF GooseChase!"

Complete as many missions as possible by 4 pm Sunday, June 14th. Complete at least 10 missions to pick up your prize at the T&P Depot on Friday or Saturday and at the Abilene Zoo on Sunday!

The highest rank team by committee review receives 5 NCCIL books! Prizes will also be given for the most creative photos!