The McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival benefiting Child Advocates is billed as the largest kids’ festival in the country. It has been postponed. Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Chronicle / Houston Chronicle Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Chronicle / Houston Chronicle

The McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival, scheduled April 4 and 5, was postponed today because of concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus.

This is the latest cancellation announcement due to the outbreak. Mayor Sylvester Turner’s announcement about the shutdown of the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show created a domino effect throughout Houston’s entertainment scene.

“This decision was not taken lightly or without consideration of many factors,” said Tony Terwilliger, McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival executive director, in a press release announcing the move. “While we recognize this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we also recognize and respect that the need for this festival is still very important to raise money and awareness to support the abused and neglected children served by Child Advocates.”

Terwilliger said the festival would move to a later date, still to be determined.

Now in its 32nd year, the McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival is the largest such festival in the country and had anticipated hosting more than 50,000 people in downtown Houston this year.

It has raised $5.6 million to date for Child Advocates, a non-profit that supports children who are in foster care because of unsafe conditions in their homes.