By Spring Sault
Food and the holidays go hand-in-hand, and from comfort to finger, the simple paring of food with great friends, family, and perhaps a toast to a new year, will whet your appetite in Llano. Known as ‘the deer capital of Texas’ and located along its namesake river, the town of Llano has a colorful history spanning nearly one hundred and sixty years, and as a Hill Country gem in the Highland Lakes tourist area, it’s also recognized as a beautiful recreation setting for holidaymakers.
Llano can boast to some of the best restaurants in the state of Texas ranging from country cooking to world-class barbeque, as well as Mexican, Chinese, and all tastes in between! However great cuisine isn’t the only thing the town can be proud of. Enjoyment here over the holiday season isn’t hard to come by whether you’re walking a most beautifully-lit Christmas walkway with a steaming cup of hot chocolate, or taking the family to the market for a day of local shopping.
These are the Holidays in the Texas Hill Country – Llano:
Photo: binkylafaye.blogspot.ca
The Llano Woman’s Culture Club’s annual Holiday Home Tour will be taking place at several homes in the town of Llano and surrounding area this year. Llano not only has several registered historical buildings (such as Badu Building, Llano County Courthouse and Red Top Jail, as well as the Southern Hotel) but is also home to many period houses through which this tour features their unique holiday décor blended seamlessly with their era of architecture. Local homeowners take pride in welcoming you, as a holiday décor and period design enthusiast. Tickets for the tour can be purchased at the Llano Chamber of Commerce and tour maps are available from the Woman’s Culture Club on West Sandstone. If you would like more information, please call 325-247-5354.
Photo: Texas Grapes (Pintrest)
On Dec. 5, the Llano Main Street Program hosts a sidewalk sale and market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with vendors filling the Courthouse Square. Bring your Christmas gift lists, your wish lists, heck even your grocery lists! Vendors and shops will be ready and raring to help you find what you’re looking for.
The town itself hosts many specialty shops, boutiques, art galleries, and much more to satisfy your shopping urge. Items ranging from tourist novelties to western items, home conversation pieces and jewelry…this town isn’t a one-trick pony (although there’s a store named for that as well.)
Photo: wherewebe.com
The saying goes, “Eat, drink and be merry,” and rightfully so. Without food at hand, you’ll get ‘hangry’ and nobody wants that over the holidays! So belly up to the bar – pit bar-b-que that is. When you’re here, it’s not all about that bass, it’s all about the meat! Home to one of the best barbeque in all of Hill Country – Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que – and the original World Famous Big Chop, Llano is clearly proud of the family owned and operated restaurant that’s out of this world with their meats, sauces and service. Foodies rejoice!
Still want to fan the flames? Why not try a pizza pie from Tommy’s Mesquite-Flamed Pizza? Trip Advisor ranks this establishment a close second behind Cooper’s in terms of food and service in Llano. In all, there are twenty-seven restaurants or food establishments listed in the town proper, all of which provide sustenance in some form of succulent, savory or sizzling meals to tame your taste buds. Why not give them the gift of good food?
4. The Traditions and Festivities
Photo: llanochuckwagoncookoff.com
Who wouldn’t want to walk through thousands of beautifully colored Christmas lights along the banks of the Llano River, hot chocolate in-hand, and a smile on their face? That’s precisely the experience awaiting you at Starry, Starry Nights, running Nov. 27 through Dec. 31. Each of these nights (or all of them for that matter!) you can stroll through the lighted archway that begins this pleasant holiday pastime, which commences with a warming cup of cocoa and ends with a visit with Santa! If you’re looking for more information, you can contact the Llano Chamber of Commerce by calling 325-247-5354 but really? Lace up your walking shoes, grab your friends and family, and make an appearance – you won’t regret it!
And don’t forget the guy in the red suit! (No, not that guy, the other guy in the red suit!) Santa makes his arrival in town in style, riding on the Llano fire truck! He’ll be coming through town in the lighted Christmas Parade which happens at dusk, scheduled for December 5, so gather up the little ones, or grab your honey (and your halo, because he’s checking that list of his…) and get together in the heart of Llano for some holiday fun.
Photo: dailytrib.com
…umm ‘snow’?! You bet! On Dec. 12, the town does the coolest thing you can think of (literally) and transforms Badu Park into a winter wonderland filled with nothing but the white stuff for Snow Day! The park will open at 1 p.m. and close at 9 p.m. and wristbands will be $5, which is good for the full day of your favorite ‘F’ words; fun, family, food and festivities!
