After a brief hiatus, the Llano Earth Art Festival returns to the Llano River at Grenwelge Park on March 28-30 with a refreshed vision. The 2025 event, a reunion of sorts, will focus on the artists and the community they created through LEAF, which started in 2015. Admission will be free to the family-friendly festival, which features the World Rock Stacking Championships. Everyone is welcome to get their hands dirty and create earth art or test their rock-balancing skills.
For a decade, earth artists from around the globe have converged on Llano for this fun, whimsical event. You might wonder: Why Llano? Well, rock stackers can attest to the quality of stones found in the city and its river. The region is located on a geological goldmine of rocks, some of which are billions of years old. Many of the ones used in competition have been weathered and worn, creating just the right characteristics for stacking.
But it’s not just a rock party! Festival-goers will find fantastic creations and art in progress using other natural materials, including the leaves, sand, dirt, and twigs rising out from the river and covering its banks.
The World Rock Stacking Championships feature different categories, including balance, number of rocks used, height of rocks stacked, teams, and individuals. All are timed, measured, and judged as the crowds look on and cheer their favorite competitors.
The 2025 festival will differ from prior LEAF events in that it is scaled down and focused on earth art, rock stacking, and hanging with friends. Organizers canceled the festival in 2024 and had not planned for a 2025 event but now hope to keep it going with the support of its artists and fans. You can donate online at LlanoEarthArtFest.org.
The 2025 Llano Earth Art Festival is free to attend and takes place March 28-30 at Grenwelge Park, 199 E. Haynie St. in Llano. Attendees may bring chairs and picnics or grab a bite from vendors.