A few months ago I started noticing painted rocks around St. George. My kids would find them at the splash pad, parks, and I even found one outside the St. George Opera House. I became fascinated with them and wanted to know what they were for and who was making them! Finally we found one that had the #StGRocks on it and I found my answer. But, I couldn't stop there, I wanted to know more about who started the St. George Rocks and what the story behind it was. As most of you know by now, I love different people's stories, and I am so excited for you to learn more about this amazing story and the person behind it!
Meet Holli Haws!
Holli has been in and out of St. George for about 18 years now. She said she keeps coming back "home". "There is just something about this place....". About 4 years ago she moved back here to Utah from Florida and found out along the way that she loved to travel and see new places and people. Now she is still living here in St. George with her two daughters and a full time job, which has slowed her traveling down a bit. That being said, her gypsy soul still wanders and the rocks do some extra traveling for her.
Years ago Holli came across a video post about painted rocks and the Ellen Show. She started looking into it and realized there were rock groups all over the country and thought that was amazing. She started painting her own rocks about two years ago and would leave them everywhere she traveled. She wanted people to know where they came from when the found them so she tried to find a local group to post in. She found a couple in northern Utah but nothing in Southern Utah, which surprised her. She thought for sure St. George would be aware and in on this trend, but we weren't. With that, she started St. George Utah Rocks and added a few friends and family to the group. Two years later there are over 1000 members in the group which is growing steadily. Not only that but there are thousands of little rocks all over Southern Utah that people and finding and hiding.
Alright, for those of you who are not familiar with these rocks, or have no idea what I am talking about. The painted rocks are a hide and seek game, or a treasure hunt for kids and adults. Yes, Adults can play too! People paint rocks and hide them. Then if you find a rock you hide it again somewhere else for someone else to find. Initially the group started out as a place for people to post pictures of the painted rocks they had found or hidden. It was a locator for traveling rocks. But, soon after the group started it was apparent that these little painted rocks were highlights or inspirations for the finders. "A little smile goes a long way". They became more than just pretty rocks. They were something that made another person's day just a little bit brighter. They also inspired others to paint their own rocks to hide.
Recently a large group of women have joined the group and brought with them amazing artistic talents. Let me add my two cents here, they really are amazing! Go and check out the Facebook page and look at the beautiful rocks that have been painted. I am in awe of the talents! Painting rocks has been relaxing and de-stressing for a lot of the members in the group while other members find a lot of joy in seeing others appreciate and cherish their work.
Also- it is a great way to get out and interact with the kids. Yes, even teenagers! I have watched several moms on my own street do this with their kids and it has been fun to see the creative ideas the kids come up with to paint their rocks as well as the excitement when they find a painted rock. My own daughter loves looking for "the special pretty rocks" and you would think she found gold when she finds one. Holli said, "The best part about this group is, it is bringing the community outside and together", and I agree. There are people in the group I feel like I know because I have found their rocks and they have commented that it was their rock. It is kinda fun to find out who painted the rock you found even though you have never met them in person. Sometimes its a mystery and you don't know who painted the rock. Either way, everyone really seems to enjoy finding them.
Holli says that currently the best spots to find rocks are in Town Square around the splash pad and park, Red Hills Desert Gardens, and Tonaquint Gardens. That being said, they are being found all over the place sprinkling different areas of Southern Utah with Happiness. Trails and schools have been spotted with inspirational rocks relating to recent incidents and awareness which is really neat. I love seeing this group make a difference in others lives and have been touched by some of the rocks that have been found and what they were painted for. I have also loved seeing the darling rocks painted by 4 year olds who want to be a part of the experience!
There are occasionally group events planned that bring all of the artists, children, admirers, and collectors together for a fun time of hunting for rocks, trading, meeting new friends, and making a positive community impact. The St George Utah Rocks Group is always open for new members, talent, and friends!
Go and join their Facebook page and start finding and hiding rocks! Post rocks you are hiding and rocks that you have found because everyone loves seeing them! You never know, the person who painted the rock or the person who found your rock may comment which is always a fun surprise! The first rock I found I posted and it was a pirate flag painted on a rock. An hour or so later the person who painted it commented that it was hers and that there was another rock with the pirate to go with it painted on another rock and she left me a clue to find it. It has really turned out to be a fun game for so many in our community.
If you ever find a painted rock make sure you #StGRocks or post directly to their page. Go look at all the rocks posted on their page and then create some of your own. I am excited to see what you come up with!
I love this whole concept and genuinely mean it when I say, Thank you Holli for having such a fun story and for bringing something to Southern Utah that is tying our community together. I hope to see some more #StGRocks soon!
Follow St. George Utah Rocks Facebook Page and share your Rocks!
Here is a sneak peak of some rocks that a friend of mine painted tonight that are going to be hidden this week. I hope you find one of them!
