The Houston Children's Festival, the largest children's festival in the United States, is gearing up for its 23nd year as Houston’s favorite family outing. Presented by Baker Hughes, the festival is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 9 & 10 from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and takes place around City Hall, Tranquility Park and Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. Designated as one of the “World's 300 Unmissable Events” by Frommer’s Travel Guides, the festival is expected to attract an expected attendance of 50,000 plus people. Proceeds benefit Child Advocates, Inc. and the abused and neglected children it serves.

Special attractions this year include the Saturday only appearance of Sterling Knight, starring as Chad Dylan Cooper on Disney’s Sonny with a Chance and new line movie 17 Again, as well as the Sunday only personal appearance of Roshon Fegan, from Disney's new hit, Shake it Up. Saturday fun delivers the personal appearance of Chris and Martin Kratt, stars of Wild Kratts, HoustonPBS’ new adventure show. Nick Jr’s Dora, the Explorer and Diego will be hand all week-end to add to the fun.

The Houston Children's Festival offers six stages of music and entertainment and more than 300 exciting activities, music, crafts, exhibits, participatory games, sports and rides. The non-stop fun continues in the exciting, interactive Family Adventure Areas including the Baker Hughes Circus Town, H-E-B Healthy Kids Kingdom, featuring Child Advocates, Inc., Sterling McCall Toyota Family Fun Zone, presented by AutoTrader.com, Apache Science Zone, McDonald’s Family Fitness Zone, Green Mountain Energy Green Zone, ESPN Sports Zone, Best Buy Jump, Jive and Jam Zone, El Paso Energy Tile Making Corner and the Great American Barnyard.

Admission for the festival is $10 per person; 3 years and under free. Discounted tickets are $8.00 per ticket with one McDonald’s receipt per ticket. Advance tickets are available for purchase online at www.houstonchildrensfestival.com. Food, beverage and game coupons sell for $10 for nine tickets.

The Houston Children’s Festival, presented by Baker Hughes, benefits Child  Advocates, Inc. and the abused and neglected Harris County children that it serves. The festival has now raised over $4.2 million for Child Advocates, Inc. and helps draw attention to Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. For more event information, visit www.houstonchildrensfestival.com or facebook.com/houstonchildrensfestival. For more information on Child Advocates, Inc., visit www.childadvocates.org.