Things to Do

Party with Mother Nature at the Llano Earth Art Fest

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Tony Maples Photography

 

All photos courtesy of Llano Earth Art Fest.

Scrolling through pictures in social media one day, Binky Morgan’s eyes alighted on a photo of stones stacked in a river. One set atop another, the rocks sat in a precarious fashion, in a way that seemed to defy gravity. That looks like it’s in the Llano River, she thought. Then, she thought, that needs to be in the Llano River. And the Llano Earth Art Fest (LEAF) was born.

Morgan gathered up about 20 friends and rented a couple of port-a-potties and set up the first Llano Earth Art Fest and rock stacking competition in Grenwegle Park in 2015. Two short years later and the festival has grown to a four-day event scheduled to take place March 10 through March 13, 2017.

rock arch

What can festival goers expect at this year’s event? Rock stars (as the competitive rock stackers are known) from all over the United States, Scotland, Italy, and France compete for top honors creating mind-blowing towers and designs from stones in the World Championship Rock Stacking Competition.

Rub elbows with the rock stars at the Thursday night cocktail party at the historic Dabbs Railroad Hotel while sipping on the LEAF signature cocktail and noshing on heavy hors d’oeuvres prepared by local chef Heather Kuhn. On stage, music, entertainers, and demonstrations all day every day with headliner EmiSunshine on Sunday afternoon keep the atmosphere lively. Other attractions include the Amazin’ Walter who creates unbelievable sculptures from sand, a 12-foot walking and talking tree (you gotta see this to believe it), and a vintage VW show. Attend workshops on building a medicine wheel, learning the basics on rock stacking, or making yarn from plastic bags.

costumes

A community gallery tent gives more traditional artists like painters and sculptors a chance to display and sell their work. A costume parade and fashion circus let festival goers express themselves in wacky and wild costumes. Facepainting, belly dancers, fire flow artists, and jugglers lend their talents to the festive atmosphere. Food vendors keep your belly happy and juried artists provide an array of art and handmade items for sale.

festival grounds

Tickets for the entire four-day event are $5 in advance and $10 at the gate with children 15 and under free with a ticket-paying adult. Those who don’t want to miss one minute of the action can camp in the park for the entire weekend. Others who prefer additional amenities can sleepover close by in more formal lodging.

As Morgan says, “There is no other event like this. People come from all over the world.” Don’t miss this celebration of nature and spring in the Texas Hill Country. Get your tickets now.