CALF adjusts plans amid Cypress Street construction

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Due to the ongoing revitalization project on Cypress Street, the Children’s Art & Literacy Festival is adjusting its usual procedures to accommodate the construction.

Every year, the Children’s Art and Literacy Festival (CALF), as it is often referred to, strives to bring interactive and educational experiences to children all over the Big Country. However, this year’s festival will experience some differences in its everyday operations with the reconstruction of Cypress Street.

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Ordinarily, the CALF sees Cypress Street in downtown Abilene transformed with features including live entertainment, street vendors, and families navigating from venue to venue. Normal operations for the festival include shutting down Cypress Street for regular foot traffic, but the progress with construction currently has the roadway along Cypress completely tore up.

For safety, a temporary fence blocks public access to the street area, and festival goers will now have to utilize the sidewalk for certain sections of Cypress Street strictly. One of the main organizers for the CALF is the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council, and Executive Director Lynn Barnett spoke about how, despite the construction, they’ve worked to ensure patrons have an easy experience.

“The city has been great about working with us and making sure that, you know, people are still able to navigate the festival. We still have transportation running, and we are still close to the same, you know, North First along here. So really, I don’t think festival-goers will notice any real change,” Barnett said.

Although the changes should only cause minor inconveniences, Lynn Barnett of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council advises anyone attending the CALF to ensure a smooth experience.

“Plan your agenda, plan your visits to the various readings, to the marionettes, to the singing zoologist. We’re really excited about this year’s Calf Festival and look forward to seeing people downtown,” said Barnett.

The Children’s Art and Literacy Festival will begin on Thursday, June 12, and will run until Saturday, June 14.