April is a colorful month in Llano County as wildflowers dominate the landscape in every direction and springtime temperatures make a welcome return.
This month, take your pick of food festivals, a gravel road bicycle race, lots of live music, and an annual native plant and tree sale.
It’s a banner wildflower season in 2023, so take time to explore the countryside and plan on several “photo stops.”
Come visit this month and you’ll see why April and Llano County make such a good match.
CASTELL GRIND
9 a.m. Saturday, April 1
19522 RR 152 in Castell
The annual endurance bike races begin at the Castell General Store and travel along remote gravel roads with striking views of the Texas Hill Country. Competitions include the Full Grind 100K, 3/4 Grind 75K, and Half Grind 50K. After the race, reward yourself with one of the store’s famous burgers.
LLANO RIVER CHUCK WAGON COOK-OFF
Saturday, April 1
Badu Park, 300 Legion Drive in Llano
A weekend of cowboy culinary competition closes with live music, a noon meal, and award presentations. Come early, walk the grounds, and watch chuck wagon chefs ply their trade at authentic Old West-style rigs.
LLANO COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS NATIVE PLANT SALE
9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, April 1
Llano County Courthouse Square, 800 Ford St. in Llano
Green thumb types, this is the place to be on April 1. Shop here for native trees and plants, bird feeders, garden tools, birdhouses, and decorative items for the yard. Get expert advice on your spring garden projects.
LLANO FIDDLE FEST WEEKEND
Saturday-Sunday, April 1-2
John L Kuykendall Event Center & Arena, 2200 W, Ranch Road 152 in Llano
Come Saturday for a day of fiddle competition and a silent auction. Moe Bandy performs that night. Come back Sunday for a morning cowboy church service featuring the Gimbles.
MO PITNEY AT LLANO COUNTRY OPRY
2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8
LanTex Theatre, 113 W. Main St. in Llano
One of country’s most distinctive new voices takes the LanTex stage on April 8 with a mix of self-penned songs and his takes on jukebox classics.
LLANO CRAWFISH OPEN
Friday-Saturday, April 21-22
123 Robinson Park Drive in Llano
“Laissez les bon temps rouler” in Llano County, when Hill Country meets Cajun at this annual mudbug fest. The aroma of boiling crawfish fills the air amid a whole host of events, including a motorcycle run, a golf tournament, and live music by Neal McCoy and Randall King.
For more information about attractions and events, go to https://visitllanocounty.com/.