Llano County packs a lot of diversity into its 941 square miles, offering something for each of its nearly 20,000 residents.
From the gorgeous granite and llanite rock hills, to the flowing Llano River, to the popular Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, and Lake Buchanan, Llano County has always been a destination for folks looking for fun and relaxation.
Year round, Llano County offers a variety of things to do and see.
Enchanted Rock State Park is one of the best-known places to hike in the county, and thousands flock to the dome each year to climb their way to the top.
The Llano River is also a popular destination, offering opportunities to fish, swim, kayak, and canoe.
Each of the three lakes are well-known for fishing, boating, swimming and camping.
But as impressive as the natural amenities are, the reason most people head for the granite hills time and time again, are the people.
The people of Llano County are full of life, love to celebrate their lives, and invite all who would like to come, to join them in those celebrations.
Since the beginnings of the county, there has been a fervor for celebrating, and today, as it was then, Llano County continues to honor those traditions.
When spring time rolls around, and the county begins to wake from its winter nap, folks here begin to prepare to celebrate, and boy! They do it in a big way!
LLANO FIDDLE FEST
For over forty years, people have travelled in droves to come and see, hear and participate in one of the county’s oldest pastimes.
Fiddling has been a part of Llano lore since the late 1800s, and in 1976, the first fiddle contest was held along the banks of the Llano River at Robinson Park.
Fiddlers of all ages showed up and wowed the audience. And so it’s been, every year, except for a few in the 1990s and 2010.
However, in 2011, the Llano Music Group was determined to bring back the tradition, and did just that.
Since then, it has been a three-day extravaganza, held every first weekend in April, kicking off with an Air Fiddle Contest on Friday, and continuing Saturday with the official contest, and into Sunday morning with a Sunday service, Cowboy Breakfast, and of course, more fiddling.
For more information and to get the www.llanofiddlefest.com.
LLANO CRAWFISH OPEN
For nearly 30 years, Llano has been hosting the Llano Crawfish festival. The brainchild of some Beaumont hunters and a group of Llanoites, the festival was born to raise money, first to purchase a motorized wheelchair for a local man, and now to help support various local charities.
The festival culminates every third weekend in April at Robinson Park, with live music, vendors, and of course, lots and lots of crawfish.
A roping competition is held annually as a part of the celebration, with hundreds of competitors trying to win the big prize.
A golf tournament, 5K run and motorcycle run offer lots of fun and activities for everyone.
This year, the festival will be held April 21-22, and more information can be found at www.llanocrawfishopen.com.
LLANO EARTH ART FEST
This year, the 2017 World Championship Rock Stacking Competition will be held March 11-13 in Grenwelge Park, one of Llano’s favorite parks by the Llano River.
Born just three years ago, as a way to bring people together, bridging the gap between man and nature, the Llano Earth Art Fest is home to the only world championship rock stacking competition.
Rock stacking is an age old pastime, and the creators of LEAF have successfully taken the art form and made it the focal point of a three-day festival, drawing thousands of visitors to the small hill country town.
2017 will mark the third annual celebration, and just like the inaugural and second festival, live music, entertainers of all kinds and vendors will again be on hand to provide entertainment for all who come.
In addition to the sights and sounds, visitors are again invited to try their hand at rock stacking and can even enter the competition!
For more information on the festival, visit llanoearthartfest.org.
